As part of the DiversAbility Circus project, we carried out two surveys to better understand the realities, needs, and expectations linked to inclusive circus activities for young people with disabilities. One survey gathered the perspectives of youth workers, while the other focused directly on young people with disabilities and their experiences, preferences, and support needs. Together, these surveys helped us listen both to those who facilitate activities and to those who take part in them.
The aim was simple: to understand what makes participation easier, what creates barriers, and what kinds of tools, methods, and conditions are needed to make circus activities more accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for everyone. The responses were collected across the project partner countries and beyond, and then analysed to identify the main patterns, needs, and priorities emerging from the field.
What we learned
The two surveys pointed in the same direction. There is a real interest in inclusive circus, both from young people with disabilities and from youth workers. Young people showed strong openness to circus activities, especially when they feel safe, supported, and free to take part in their own way. Youth workers also recognised the value of circus as a tool for inclusion, participation, confidence, and connection.
At the same time, the surveys made it clear that inclusion does not happen automatically. For young people, participation depends a lot on the atmosphere and structure of the activity. Clear and simple instructions, knowing what will happen, being able to join step by step, having breaks, and feeling understood all make a big difference. Barriers such as noise, too many people, unclear communication, or unfamiliar environments can quickly make participation harder.
Youth workers highlighted a similar need from their side. Many are interested in using circus more in inclusive youth work, but they need practical tools to do it well. They are looking for concrete adaptation methods, accessible activities, realistic guidance, and training that helps them respond to different support needs in real group situations.
Taken together, the findings confirm that inclusive circus works best when it is flexible, clearly guided, and centred on the people taking part. It should allow different ways of joining, different rhythms of participation, and different forms of support. More than anything, the surveys showed that inclusive circus is not only about learning skills. It is also about creating spaces where young people can feel welcome, capable, connected, and safe to try.
Below, you can read the full needs analyses directly on this page or download them in PDF format for later reading.
How this informed the project
The surveys helped confirm what the project needed to focus on most: practical inclusion. They showed that young people with disabilities are open to circus activities when they feel safe, supported, and free to participate in their own way, and that youth workers need concrete tools and training to make this possible in practice.
These findings directly shaped the development of DiversAbility Circus. They reinforced the need for adaptable activities, clear guidance, step-by-step approaches, and resources that are easy to use in real youth work settings, including those with limited time, staff, or equipment.