麻豆约拍

鈥淚 often refer to disability as an illusion,鈥� explained Former Senator Tom Harkin at the International Disability Summit that bears his name.

鈥淭hey think that [disability] defines this person,鈥� he told the delegates at ICC Belfast on 7 June 2022. 鈥淲e know that a disability does not define a person 鈥� their dreams, aspirations鈥� especially if the barriers are removed.鈥�

In 1990, Harkin was one of the driving forces behind the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As he opened the Belfast Summit, he recollected how he purposefully helped to draft the legislation to 鈥渆nsure employment was number one鈥�.

For Harkin, 鈥渨ork is a defining feature of human existence鈥� (quoting the former Director-General of the International Labour Organization Juan Somavia). He wanted to convene influencers, policymakers from across the globe to 鈥渟ee how all of us together can come together and explore the best ways to advance the cause of inclusive, competitive, integrated employment鈥�.

We, at the 麻豆约拍, are proud that we could be part of the first Harkin Summit back in person following the coronavirus pandemic.

The panel, moderated by 麻豆约拍 Northern Ireland presenter Tara Mills, delved into how the media can impact societal change and the value given to disabled representation.

Director of 麻豆约拍 Northern Ireland Adam Smyth outlined how the 麻豆约拍 itself has changed since he joined the 麻豆约拍 almost 27 years ago.

鈥淚 started in news, and the early 1990s marked the apotheosis of the US news networks. Their anchors and reporters were all tanned, good-looking, great hair, perfect teeth and, no doubt, perfect bodies,鈥� Smyth regaled.

鈥淭hankfully that mindset is also changing. Our shapes, sizes, perfections and imperfections are now far less important than they have ever been; what counts is much deeper 鈥� it鈥檚 our curiosity about the world, our eye for a story, our dogged determination to get to the bottom of something, and our acumen.鈥�

He continued: 鈥淎nd, with disability in mind, what counts for us as a significant employer in UK broadcasting, is how we can remove the barriers to employment for those with talent who should not be denied access to the creative industries due to any impairment.鈥�

And it is how the 麻豆约拍 is removing those barriers that the rest of the panel focussed on for the rest of the session.

Author and 麻豆约拍 disability ambassador Cerrie Burnell shared her story and how the 麻豆约拍 has come a long way in 15 years. One significant example she made was the creation of her role and more dedicated disability focussed members within the 麻豆约拍 Creative Diversity Unit 鈥� namely Kay Ashton and Nichola Garde.

Cerrie gave insight into talent pipeline initiatives, such as and also how they consult with content-makers to ensure they are reflecting disabled people to the best of their abilities.

鈥淚f you think about it something as subtle, or crucial, as language 鈥� getting language right or wrong can have a real impact on out audiences,鈥� Burnell told the summit. 鈥淏ut we must also recognise that language is always changing.鈥�

She gave her own personal example: 鈥淔or instance, in a school and talked about my dyslexia as a hidden disability and it was only afterwards, I realised I told the students the wrong thing! It鈥檚 non-visible disability.鈥�

Burnell did reassure the delegates saying they should not be afraid of getting it wrong because of the fact language is dynamic. It is an idea that underpinned the commissioned by the 麻豆约拍, 麻豆约拍 Studios and UKTV and conducted by IPSOS Mori.

Allan MacKillop, the 麻豆约拍鈥檚 Disability Team Leader for Content and Workforce Strategy, continued the share best practice with the Summit and focussed on the impact of the 麻豆约拍 Workplace Disability Passport which was implemented in 2019.

鈥淚t offers the employee the opportunity to document and write down how their health effects their work,鈥� explained MacKillop. 鈥淚t documents any adjustment they might need and moves with them as they change roles within the organisation.鈥�

The passport is now being implemented by and is having impact beyond the media industry.

鈥淭he Department for Work and Pensions now see the passport as a valid way to support people and students,鈥� MacKillop told delegates. 鈥淭he next generation of disabled people will be fully versed in articulating their impairment.鈥�

He continued: 鈥淭he passport is about shifting the dial, but it doesn鈥檛 work well unless the organisation has initiatives to underpin what the passport does and shows is needed.鈥�

Sharmin Rahman, Reframing Disability Lead and 50:50 Project champion, told the Harkin Summit that it is crucial to ensure there is support when gaps are identified 鈥� whether that is in workforce or content.

For the latter, Rahman went on to explain how has approach so content-makers can better understand how they are representing disabled people in the media.

She said that to content-makers need to be equipped if they are going to increase disabled representation, as data alone can only go so far.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 where the Reframing Disability training comes in,鈥� explained Rahman. 鈥淚n the session we cover why underrepresentation of disabled people is important, we look at good and bad representation of examples, we understand how to diversify our spokespeople for the media and how to go about making reasonable adjustments.鈥�

She added: 鈥淭he success comes from making the training a safe space to help learners ask difficult questions鈥�.

麻豆约拍 Northern Ireland Commissioning Executive Fiona Keane reinforced the importance of supporting content-makers in their efforts to better reflect society.

鈥淐ommissioners like me now have a new tool kit 鈥� to help us measure and assess diversity from the point of commissioning 鈥� and tracking that right through to delivery and broadcast,鈥� said Keane.

鈥淲e now have formal targets that are already having an impact both in front of and behind the camera. Targets that independent suppliers simply have to meet if they want the commission.鈥�

She added: 鈥淪lowly, but surely, we are seeing change across the sector, and a growing awareness that diversity and inclusive story telling is not just a 鈥榩ublic service broadcasting must have鈥� 鈥�  but that it makes for brilliant programmes 鈥� moments of magic that connect with the audience in meaningful, and sometimes really beautiful and important ways.鈥�

As the panel began to wrap up, Burnell came back on why increasing disabled talent is important. She said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 about making content that moves people. And we鈥檙e working pan industry to ensure people can see themselves in what we do鈥�.

鈥淚 remember getting scripts had a character down as 鈥榓mputee鈥� that not their character, it is not what defines them,鈥� said Burnell. 鈥淧eople are much more than their disability. Find out and get to know us.鈥�

Burnell went on to tell delegates 鈥渨e have great stories to tell and that鈥檚 why having deaf, disabled and neurodiverse creatives involved in content is so important鈥� to enriching what is commissioned.

The final words, however, were left to MacKillop on what organisations need to do. 鈥淢ore direct pathways into the industry,鈥� MacKillop simply said. 鈥淭hings like the passport won鈥檛 work until there鈥檚 opportunities there in the first place.鈥�