Disabled artists in Bristol are pushing for greater opportunities and support, even though the city is often seen as inclusive. Cathy Mager, a deaf artist and founder of Spectroscope, a collective for deaf and disabled artists, says that while many arts organizations in Bristol are committed to accessibility, there is a difference between making spaces accessible and actively showcasing work by disabled artists. Mager has been involved in projects like projecting British Sign Language (BSL) images onto buildings during the pandemic, which led to commissions at the Arnolfini and Bristol Light Festival. Spectroscope has also organized gatherings for artists and is launching an artist residency at East Quay in Watchet. While Mager appreciates the support from institutions like the Watershed, she calls for more disabled leadership and funding to address transport challenges in rural areas. Raquel Meseguer Zafe, a professional dancer from Easton, developed chronic pain in her late 20s and has been advocating for resting spaces in arts and cultural venues since 2018. Her project, A Crash Course in Cloudspotting, involved audiences lying down together and listening to audio of disabled people's experiences. Meseguer Zafe is currently working on Juliet and Romeo, an upcoming show at Bristol Old Vic, which includes a resting space, BSL interpretation, and audio descriptions. She warns that the success of disabled artists is at risk due to cuts to the government’s Access to Work grants, which help remove barriers by paying for transport and support workers. Jess Douek, the lead singer of the alternative metal band Mallavora, lives with chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia. She has secured Arts Council funding and partnered with the Exchange to create Bristol’s first fully-accessible grassroots music venue. Douek notes that while there are accessible venues in the city, accessibility is not always consistent. Her band recently broke the record for the number of wheelchairs at a fully-accessible gig at the Exchange in May. Looking ahead, Douek aims to launch quarterly gigs, networking events, and a talent pathway with festivals and booking agencies in early 2027 to support emerging disabled artists.