Inclusion is unfortunately still often neglected in diversity and sustainability strategies in the pop music industry, industry experts with disabilities are massively underrepresented and musicians with visible disabilities remain almost invisible on Germany's stages. At the same time, regional projects show that pop music representatives in particular can be key multipliers for accessible and inclusive cultural programmes.

In our panel, exciting experts from cultural and social policy as well as the music scene will discuss how pop music commissioners can actively promote inclusion. What responsibility do pop music commissioners and disability commissioners each and jointly bear for the cultural participation of people with disabilities in their area of responsibility? What medium and long-term measures are needed to establish nationwide minimum standards for inclusion and accessibility in federal pop music promotion?

Maximilian Schlichter presents the inclusion strategy of the district of Swabia/Bavaria, which can serve as a model for other federal states. Felix Brückner shares his experiences and expectations as a musician with a disability and uses examples of best practice to show how inclusive cultural projects can be organised in the best possible way. Cologne's commissioner for the disabled Mirjam Tomše will present perspectives from local politics and explain the challenges of federalism in the implementation of disability equality laws.

The panel will be moderated by Amy Zayed, a blind music journalist and leading expert on inclusion and pop music. With this panel, we would like to set impulses together with experts on our own behalf and call for more strategies for an accessible pop music scene. Join us and join the discussion!