Forty years celebrating disabled artists across UK

In Liverpool, a remarkable festival is taking place to honor artists with disabilities. This festival, known as DaDaFest International, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Among the talented artists participating is Lisa Simpson, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Lisa is unable to speak, but she uses a special communication tool called the Simpson Board, which allows her to select words with her eyes. This innovative method has enabled her to build a successful career as a choreographer and workshop leader. Her husband, John Glass, proudly states that she might be the only non-verbal choreographer in the world. Lisa believes that the festival provides a vital opportunity for disabled artists to showcase their talents and creativity. She expresses, 'The Simpson Board is my creative voice. It's my means of communicating. ' This statement highlights how, despite her challenges, she can still convey her artistic vision through her work and the movements of her dancers. The festival, which began in 2001, has adopted the theme of 'rage' for this year's event. This theme reflects the ongoing frustrations many disabled artists face in their pursuit of equity and inclusion within the arts community. Rachel Rogers, the executive producer at DaDaFest, emphasizes the significance of reaching this 40-year milestone, stating, 'For an organization to make 40 years is an achievement in itself. ' She also expresses her joy in seeing familiar faces return to the festival, as it fosters a sense of community and connection among artists. The festival kicked off at the Open Eye Gallery, where numerous artworks created by disabled women artists and activists were on display. Local artist Maisie Gordon shared her perspective on the progress made for disabled individuals, saying, 'Being a disabled person in 2025 is obviously a lot better than it used to be. We are progressing really far. ' However, she also acknowledges that there is still much work to be done to ensure full inclusion and representation for disabled artists. The festival will run throughout Liverpool until the end of March, featuring a variety of events and exhibitions from artists across the UK.