Quiplash CIC

In the financial year 2024-25 Quiplash has provided consulting and training services on the topics of Disability Awareness, Blind Awareness, Audio Description and LGBTQ+ awareness to around 40 partners, including theatres and performing arts, arts and culture organisations, galleries, dance projects, prides, universities, green spaces, producers, LGBTQ+ and disabled artists and independent professionals. In total across partner hosted and public training sessions, we trained approximately 345 people across 22 sessions. Quiplash ran 4 low cost, publicly available workshops online or hybrid in person and online for the LGBTQ+ disabled community talking about audio description and general principles of disability awareness, attended by approx 65 people. Quiplash worked with around 20 LGBTQ+ disabled people to develop employable skills. Quiplash consulted on over 25 creative shows and productions, embedding audio description and other accessibility into the shows so that blind and disabled audiences can access the work. Quiplash produced and/or performed in around 15 performances, including creating and touring a new show nationally and internationally. Quiplash’s work included integrated access for blind and visually impaired people. Quiplash also contributed to academic research by contributing interviews and written articles on the themes of audio description, accessibility, LGBTQ+ artforms and LGBTQ+ and disabled experiences working in the arts. This includes a chapter in the book Drag Vistas And Visions (Bloomsbury, London, 2025) and a chapter in Wages for Wages Against Vol 4 (Privilege, Geneva, 2025). Quiplash’s work benefitted the LGBTQ+ and disabled community by: ● Providing skills and tools to organisations and individuals who hire and work with LGBTQ+ disabled people. ● Increased confidence in hiring and working with LGBTQ+ and disabled people. ● Improved the working environment and accessibility for professional LGBTQ+ and disabled people. ● Make creative and cultural work more accessible for LGBTQ+ and disabled people, providing more opportunities to engage with the arts and culture. ● Supporting LGBTQ+ and disabled artists in creating and improving their work, enabling them to grow their audiences and reach. ● Providing needed paid specialist work and career development opportunities for LGBTQ+ and disabled creative and cultural professionals. ● Contributing knowledge and research to the field. ● Creating professional and accessible performances that feature integrated audio description - an access provision that is regularly overlooked.