Breaking into news

In real, rather than reality, TV it’s an old, old story: when did you last see a disabled person on a news bulletin?

Next question: when did you last see a disabled person on the news talking about something other than their disabled status? Where is the blind banker giving an expert perspective on the credit crunch or the wheel-chair-user giving a view on the desirability or otherwise of organic produce?

The Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN), part of the Employers’ Forum on Disability, has launched an initiative which aims to open journalists’ minds.

Clare Morrow, network manager with BCIDN, told Disability Now: “I thought we could assist journalists by pulling together details of people who happen to have a disability but are experts in something else.

“The plan is to produce an information resource that broadcast media journalists can tap into, offering disabled experts and more. We’d also point them in the direction of people who are happy to be case studies.”

Asked to give an example of how such a database might work, Morrow said: “One of the things I’ve been talking to the BBC and Sky about is how they do newspaper reviews. Often they use journalists from other papers but it’s an area where you could use vocal disabled people who have contributions to make.”

• If you’re interested in being part of the database, email clare.morrow@employers-forum.co.uk