Dynamic & Disabled:

Guidance on Working Inclusively with Miranda Allen

“Dynamic Disability” refers to disabilities or chronic illnesses with symptoms that fluctuate in severity and nature. Fluctuating symptoms results in fluctuating abilities and, thereby, fluctuating needs.

Dynamic Disability is often discordant with common assumptions and perceptions about disability; people with Dynamic Disabilities have different needs than people might expect. It can be particularly difficult to work in the performance industry with Dynamic Disability.
(For more information about Dynamic Disability, click here)

This guide is a combination of information, tools, personal experiences, and resources about working in the performance industry as a dynamically disabled performer.  

The material is available as “The Complete Guide”, or broken out into separate modules for Producers, Collaborators, Personal Assistants, Venues, & Marketing teams.  Each of these modules provides specific detailed information about what Miranda needs to be able to participate in the industry.

While this material is specifically written about Miranda’s experiences and needs, it is our hope that others will be able to “upcycle” this guide for their own needs - that these documents will also serve as guidance and inspiration for other entertainment artists working with Chronic Illness &/or Dynamic Disability.

Miranda Allen, an entertainer and escape artist, sits in her wheelchair in a relaxed pose onstage at the Glastonbury Festival.

Photo by Charles Gervais

This guidance was written with the generous support of Arts Council England and the DYCP program.

I am very grateful for their support and the opportunity it’s given me to explore my career as a now Disabled artist.