decorative
DANCING  Logo linking to Home Page
Three part image of dancers with disabilities performaing on stage

Infographic: Where is the Paradigm Shift?

On this page, you will find the infographic ‘Where is the Paradigm Shift?’. You will find a text description of the infographic below, and an audio description at the bottom of the page.


Home » Resources » Infographics » Infographic: Where is the Paradigm Shift?

This is a flowchart to show the latest results of our research, Barriers and Facilitators to Participation by People with Disabilities in Culture: Where is the paradigm shift?
Infographic designed by Norbert Croonenberg Accessibility Design. Ideas and text by Prof. Delia Ferri, Principal Investigator of DANCING.

Infographic: Where is the Paradigm Shift? – Text Description

The infographic uses blues, white and turquoise consistent with the previous infographics.  The mood of the design is playful and non-intimidating.  There is the DANCING project logo in the top left hand corner, and an acknowledgement to the ERC, the funding body, in the bottom right hand corner.  Text is shown in boxes and lozenges with arrows in between to suggest a flow of information.  The text runs as follows:


The right to participate in cultural life of persons with disabilities in Europe:  where is the paradigm shift?  (2022) ALTER European Journal of Disability Research.


Starting point – Article 30 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).


Research question:  Is there evidence that the ‘paradigm shift’ associated with the CRPD has occurred in relation to how cultural participation by people with disabilities is understood by States Parties to the CRPD?


Conceptual framework and methods: 

  • Systematic document review of States Parties’ reports to the CRPD Committee, list of issues and concluding observations of the CRPD Committee (we reviewed 94 documents published on the CRPD website – up until 15 January 2021).
  • Thematic analysis.
  • Concept of the ‘paradigm shift’ to deductively shape the analysis.


Findings:  Common trends and recurring (overlapping and sometimes contradictory) themes in relation to the way people with disabilities are portrayed in the reports.

  • Theme 1:  Disability as social construct – external barriers that cause disability.
  • Theme 2:  Throw-back to the medical model.
  • Theme 3:  recognition of people with disabilities as holders of cultural rights.


Conclusion:  not full realization of the paradigm shift, BUT signs that it is developing.


What do we suggest?  The adoption of a comprehensive approach to cultural participation of persons with disabilities is vital to challenge negative views of disability and assumptions that disability art is merely a hobby or form of therapy rather than a professional endeavour.  This could ultimately transform how society understands and relates to disability.


The text concludes with an acknowledgement to the funder: This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme (grant agreement no. 864182).

Infographic: Where is the Paradigm Shift? – Audio Description

Skip to content