Disabled people and the press
Disabled people are part of life; we always have been.
One in four people in the UK are Disabled, and there's coverage about Disabled people in newspapers every day. But research by Disabled People's Organisations has found that very little press coverage about us includes us.
Only 11% of newspaper stories about Disabled people actually quote a Disabled person.
Instead, newspapers quote charities who provide services to Disabled people, or carers and family members, or non-Disabled experts and academics. They even quote celebrities with a temporary injury!
Disabled people are not being heard. Perhaps that’s why there's so many negative press stories about Disabled people, and a rise in crimes against our community.
We need a world where Disabled people are respected and included, where we feel secure and have opportunities to thrive.
Free media spokesperson training
Campaign for Disability Justice is taking steps to make sure Disabled people are included in media coverage about the issues that matter to us.
This autumn we’re running free introductory sessions for Disabled people who want to speak to the press about their personal experiences of issues like PIP, Universal Credit, Work Capability Assessments, Disability Confident and challenges finding work as a Disabled person.
The sessions will include:
- Information about what to expect
- Help to stay safe when speaking to the media, and set your personal boundaries
- Guidance on deciding what to say
- Chance to practice in a safe environment
- Information about more in-depth media training
They will be run by Disabled people with expertise in this area.
You can use your new knowledge with the Campaign, for your own activism, or in your work.
Find out more
Join us for a chat about Disabled people and the media, with more information about the programme, including:
- How newspapers depict Disabled people, and what needs to change.
- Ways we call all can help the public understand Disabled people , using the power of our words.
- How to join the free introductory spokesperson training
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