Artists with Disabilities

Susan Chambers, "Waiting for Physical Therapy" (8)

People argue: "You can't be a disabled artist. An artist either has the talent or doesn't. A disability doesn't give a person any more artistic ability than anyone else." Is this true? Artists with disabilities were denied access to art schools, academies, exhibitions and museums. Many doors were closed to those who used wheelchairs, who had visual or hearing disabilities. For artists with disabilities all over the country, an isolated room in their home or local hospital were the only venues for expression. Artists with disabilities succeeded because they followed current art trends, communicated with other nondisabled artists or solicited assistance in their promotion. They have often been ignored by critics and questioned by a public that does not take them seriously as artists.Despite this limiting environment, many of these artists remain undaunted. Most artists believe that talent and quality should be the most important criteria in judging their work.