TV 'ignoring disabled people'
The report said disabled people should be seen in a variety of roles Tessa Jowell, the UK's culture secretary, has backed a call from viewers for greater representation of disabled people on TV. Her comments came as TV watchdogs published a report showing most viewers thought more disabled people should be seen on screen. Ms Jowell told members of the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN) that TV needed to play a strong positive role in influencing attitudes to the disabled. But, she added that many UK broadcasters had already begun to make efforts to improve the visibility of disabled people both on and off screen. "It's only right that an industry that plays an important part in changing public attitudes not only portrays disabled people in a sympathetic way but also gives them a chance to pursue a career in front of or behind the camera," said Ms Jowell. "Moreover, it is important that broadcasting and creative industries reflect the make-up of the society they serve." Manifesto for change The seminar was attended by representatives from 10 leading TV and film companies, including the BBC, ITV, Five, Channel Four and Carlton TV. The companies are all members of the BCIDN. They attended the seminar to report back on their organisations' progress in addressing disability, a year after the launch of a BCIDN manifesto for change. It is understandable that broadcasters are sensitive about involving disabled people in programmes Patricia Hodgson, ITC chief executive All 10 companies said they had begun fulfilling their commitment in the key manifesto areas. These include increasing the presence of disabled people on air and on screen and among the general workforce, making services on and off air accessible, especially buildings. The BCIDN's progress report coincided with the publication of a study suggesting that nearly four out of five people questioned said they were in favour of a disabled person reading the main evening news bulletin. But the study - carried out for the BBC, Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) and Independent Television Commission (ITC) - also said broadcasters appeared "more cautious". They were concerned with perceived audience prejudices, ratings and other possible constraints, the report said. Audience perception Sixty-one per cent of viewers said there should be more portrayals of disabled people in a wide variety of roles - including as presenters. Moves to include disabled people in TV advertising were also welcomed, especially where it challenged negative stereotypes or promoted positive images of disabled people. ITC chief executive Patricia Hodgson said the feedback shed useful light on expectations about disability. BBC comedy The Office included a disabled actress "It is understandable that broadcasters are sensitive about involving disabled people in programmes, both on and off screen, but this should not be an excuse to shy away from properly representing society," she said. Some non-disabled viewers found it difficult to accept the idea of more disabled people on screen. These viewers were less comfortable watching people whom they perceived to be "different". Some industry professionals also had concerns over how audiences might respond to more "severely" disabled actors or presenters. The watchdogs' research also examined TV comedy in relation to disabled people. Viewers accepted that broadcasters and comedians had to tread a fine line between pushing boundaries and the risk of causing offence.

Disability on TV
		31st October 2003 Local disabled teens call for action after survey concludes there are not enough disabled role models on TV Six disabled teenagers have joined forces with the national children’s charity Whizz-Kidz to host a conference about disability on TV.  The conference, which will be held in Birmingham on 21st November, is unique in that it is organised by young people, for young people to challenge the current lack of representation of disabled people in mainstream television. The young organisers, all of whom are wheelchair users themselves, decided to host the event after receiving the results of ‘Disability on the Box’ survey which they carried out in the Midlands with help from Whizz-Kidz.  The survey showed that 70% of young people, both able-bodied and disabled, feel that attitudes towards disabled people would improve if there were more positive representations of them on television. These conclusions mirror those obtained by the key players broadcast industry itself in a recent survey entitled ‘Disabling Prejudice.’  Both reports concur that young disabled people feel there should be more disabled people in mainstream television playing ‘normal’ roles that don’t focus on their on television, which don’t focus on their disability The ‘Disability on the Box’ conference will give both disabled and able-bodied teenagers the unique chance to ask industry insiders about their current disability policies and make suggestions on how representation can be improved.  As one of the problems highlighted by TV professionals is the lack of choice of disabled actors / presenters available, the participants will also have the opportunity to join one of three interactive workshops in scriptwriting, advertising and acting / presenting.  The idea of these workshops is to give a taster of what it is like to work in TV and the chance to develop potential storylines, which can be sent on to commissioning editors. The event has already attracted a number of high-profile television names keen to give their advice and listen to the young people’s opinions.  These include: Steven Andrew, Controller of CiTV; Sue Caro, Senior Diversity Manager at the BBC; Richard Zajdlic a script-writer for popular programmes such as ‘EastEnders’ and ‘This Life’; comedian and actress Francesca Martinez, and Kim Tserkeize, star of children’s BBC programme ‘Balamory.’ John Clarke, 15, one of the young organisers says: “Young disabled people don’t often get the chance to talk with those who have the power to change things.  We hope this conference will make a difference, not only by giving some good ideas to those in the television industry about how to include more disabled people in programmes, but also by encouraging more young disabled people to apply for jobs in television so that they can help make a positive and active contribution.”             Julie Fernadez, star of TV’s ‘The Office’ and a supporter of Whizz-Kidz adds: “The television industry is committed to making more opportunities available for disabled people through the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network, but there is still a long way to go before there is regular representation of disabled people in mainstream television.  There are still very limited opportunities available to disabled people wanting to work in television and to make matters worse disabled teenagers often have no access to advice on working in television or the opportunities that are available to them.  I think this conference is a great idea and hope that it gives inspiration to young people.” The conference is the third in a series of four regional events entitled ‘Break Down Barriers’ which are being funded by a Comic Relief grant.  The grant was awarded to Whizz-Kidz to help enhance their consultation and networking with young people through the development of their ‘Kidz Board’ – a group of disabled teenagers who work as ambassadors and advisors to the charity.  Each conference is organised by a group of teenagers from the Kidz Board who are supported by a team at the charity’s head office.  A theme for each event is chosen because of its specific relevance to the lives of young disabled people and they aim to find ways to break-down-barriers to disabled people.  Later in the year regional reports from each of the conferences will be combined into an overall national report, providing a definitive picture of young peoples’ views on issues surrounding independent mobility within the UK.   1.  200 teenagers were interviewed for the young people’s survey, with an 60/40 split between disabled and able bodied, male and female. Seven out of ten respondents believe that able-bodied people’s attitudes towards disabled people  would improve if they regularly saw disabled people on TV 60% of respondents think the best way of encouraging able-bodied people to see disabled people as ‘normal’ is to see them in mainstream TV programmes where there is no focus on their disability For two-thirds of young disabled people seeing disabled role models on TV has a positive effect inspiring them and making them hopeful that negative attitudes towards disabled people will change Eight out of ten people could not recall any TV advertisements that featured disabled people and three-quarters think advertisers leave disabled people out of appearing in advertisements Over half of young disabled respondents have been treated badly because of their disability.  The culprits are most likely to be other young people or adults the respondents do not know. .

A leading think tank has concluded that disabled people should not appear on our TV screens before the 9.00pm watershed.

In a paper published today, The Caydare Centre outlines a 10 million pound plan which recommends that "instances of disability" are not positive images fit for our living rooms.

In a press launch this morning, the chairman of the group, Lord Swaleside, shot a warning signal across the bows of broadcasters who may be thinking of including disabled people in their TV programmes.

"Almost 76 per cent of people surveyed felt that the grittiness and dirt of a handicapped existence has no place on television during family viewing time.

"If a child were to see images of dribbling, gurning, mania or sensory loss regularly, it could lead to disrupted sleep and behavioural difficulties in the playground.

"We urge all broadcasters to look at our code and make sure that they uphold taste and decency for the sake of our children."

The plan has 150 other recommendations to be put on the desk of Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. These include:

• No invisible disabilities to appear on game shows;
• Disabled to be included in sports and activity programmes as spiritual encouragement to the able-bodied;
• On-screen depression to be cut, and happiness ratings to be introduced;
• Only 10 in every 500 actors in TV dramas should have a disability.

Disability groups in the UK have been outraged by the findings.

"We are outraged," they said, adding: "We're people first. See the ability, not the disability".

A spokesperson for the Disability Rights Commission said: "We are positive that these measures will increase the number of disabled people on television".

A statement from the Government is expected

UK viewers for more visibility of disabled people on TV

LONDON: Television viewers show a high degree of acceptance of disabled people on screen, with 79 per cent saying they would not mind if a disabled person read the main evening news bulletin, The findings are contained in a new research Disabling Prejudice which was commissioned by the BBC, the Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) and Independent Television Commission (ITC).

The report also notes that broadcasters appear more cautious, concerned with perceived audience prejudices, ratings and other possible constraints. The majority of viewers (61 per cent) say that there should be more portrayals of disabled people on television in a wide variety of roles, including as presenters. The inclusion of disabled people in television advertising was also welcomed, particularly where it challenges negative stereotypes or actively promotes positive images of disabled people.

The report examines attitudes towards disability, and the representation of disability on television, by both disabled and non-disabled viewers, and by broadcasting industry professionals.

ITC chief executive, Patricia Hodgson said: "The feedback we have had from viewers and from industry professionals in this project sheds some very useful light on their different expectations about disability."

"It is understandable that broadcasters are sensitive about involving disabled people in programmes, both on and off screen, but this should not be an excuse to shy away from properly representing society," Hodgson added.

The report notes that television is seen as a particularly powerful medium, so accuracy of portrayals is considered vital, as is the need for television to offer positive role models to young disabled people, and the avoidance of negative stereotypes (including well-intentioned emphasis on the "bravery" of a disabled person).

Among some non-disabled viewers there remained barriers to acceptance of more prominence of disabled people on screen. These viewers were less comfortable watching people whom they perceived to be "different". Some industry professionals also thought that viewers expected actors and presenters to be traditionally good looking, and had concerns over how audiences might respond to more "severely" disabled actors or presenters.

The research identified several factors that would increase the likelihood of on-screen portrayals being widely accepted by these kinds of viewers: They include:

* Matching - This means demonstrating that "you are like me". Portrayals should go beyond disability to focus on the disabled person as being, in most respects, just like everyone else * Likeability - Broadcasters should aim at creating emotional connections with viewers through shared qualities, for example, a presenter with an engaging personality or sense of humour; * Celebrity - using a famous actor to play a disabled role. This was recognised as an effective way of attracting attention to a programme, and there was support for this approach from the majority of viewers, given the desire to raise awareness and increase the number of variety of portrayals - as long as the resulting portrayals are accurate. * Incidental inclusion - This refers to involving disabled people at all levels of programming and production, and featuring disabled characters or presenters where their disability was not the reason for their inclusion or central to the storyline.