Reasonable Adjustments

Your Rights as a Disabled Author or Creative

Under the Equality Act 2010, disabled people, including those working as freelancers or contractors, are protected from discrimination. That includes authors, illustrators, poets, comics creators, translators, and editors, whether you work with publishers, literary agents, festivals, or other industry bodies. If you have a disability, you have the right to request “reasonable adjustments” from the organisations or people commissioning or collaborating with you.

When Does the Duty to Make Adjustments Apply?

If you are engaged by a publisher, agent, festival, or other client, and you provide your creative work personally, that organisation generally has a legal duty to consider and, where reasonable, make adjustments to support your participation and output on equal terms.

Examples of Reasonable Adjustments 

Adjustments will always depend on your needs and the specifics of your work, but might include:

• Flexible Deadlines: Adjusting manuscript submission dates or phased delivery schedules to accommodate fluctuating health or energy levels.
• Accessible Contracts and Briefs: Providing contracts, briefs, editorial feedback, or style guides in accessible formats (large print, easy read, audio, or via screen-reader-friendly documents).
• Alternative Communication Channels: Using email or chat instead of phone; providing meeting notes in advance; allowing remote meetings instead of in-person.
• Event Access: Ensuring venues for readings, launches, or panels are wheelchair accessible, provide hearing loops, quiet spaces, or online alternatives.
• Support for Publicity and Promotion: Adjustments around book tours, festival appearances, or interviews (for example, scheduling at certain times of day, allowing rest breaks, providing travel support).
• Assistive Technology and Tools: Permitting use of speech-to-text or text-to-speech software, or allowing collaboration through accessible project management platforms.
• Time to Process Edits/Feedback: Giving more time to review and respond to editorial feedback or contract queries.

How to Request an Adjustment

• Identify Your Needs: Think about which parts of the process create barriers (e.g., tight editorial deadlines, inaccessible files, in-person launches).
• Communicate Clearly: Explain your needs and how a particular adjustment will help you. You can do this informally, but you may want to follow up in writing.
• Be as Specific as Possible: Suggest a solution, if you have one, to make it easier for the client or organisation to understand how they can help.
• You Don’t Need to Disclose Everything: Only share what is comfortable or necessary to explain the impact of your disability, but the more you share the more support they are able to provide. 

What is considered ‘Reasonable’?

Adjustments are considered reasonable depending on:

• Effectiveness: Does the change remove or reduce the barrier?
• Practicality: Can it be achieved without significant disruption?
• Cost: Would it be too costly in the context of the organisation’s size and resources?
• Organisation’s Capacity: A large publisher may be expected to do more than a small festival run by volunteers.

This is general information to guide and steer you, if you have concerns or need more detailed and specific support then please seek legal advice.