BBC launches commitments to improving access for disabled talent on and off screen

“The BBC is committed to building an accessible and welcoming culture for disabled talent, both on and off screen, as part of our plans to ensure we truly reflect disabled audiences.”

— Joanna Abeyie, BBC Head of Creative Diversity

The BBC is launching a new set of commitments to improve the representation of disabled people on screen and to improve access to BBC productions for disabled people.

BBC iPlayer is also launching a dedicated collection called Count Us In that celebrates disabled programming and talent, which will be live this weekend ahead of the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons on Saturday 3 December.

The BBC’s commitments state:

• The BBC is committed to improving the representation of disabled people on screen, with a focus on the quality and quantity of representation. We believe the portrayal of disabled people must be authentic, inclusive and reach across all our programmes and recognise that disability can be apparent or non-apparent. 

• We know there are barriers to access within the broadcasting industry for those working off screen. We commit to improving opportunities and accessibility across our productions so that no one is ever excluded.

The new commitments mean that within scripted programmes we will look to include authentic and meaningful representation of disability all new commissions. We will endeavour to cast those with lived experience of disability for disabled roles – as well as seeking disabled actors for roles not specifically written to be disabled.

And within unscripted programmes portrayal of disability will include landmark and incidental portrayal. We will endeavour to include at least one contributor, presenter or performer with a disability per series and one-off programmes. 

The commitments formalise and build on much of the work already happening within the BBC and follows the launch of The TV Access Project (TAP), created by the BBC, Channel 4, Britbox International, Disney+ UK, ITV, Paramount, Prime Video, Sky and UKTV, in August this year.

Joanna Abeyie, BBC Head of Creative Diversity, says: “The BBC is committed to building an accessible and welcoming culture for disabled talent, both on and off screen, as part of our plans to ensure we truly reflect disabled audiences. There is more to do across the whole industry and I’m excited to see how these new access commitments remove barriers and create better workplaces that make the TV industry more accessible to all who want to be a part of it.”

Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer, says: “It is vital that we continue to improve access to meaningfully increase the representation of disabled people on and off screen across the whole industry. These new BBC access commitments will drive authentic and inclusive portrayal even further across our content and ensure that the very best disabled talent feel heard and valued.”

Commissioners and independent producers will work closely to deliver the new commitments. Each production will work to the 5 As, launched by the TV Access Project, to support the highest accessibility standards.

The BBC is also launching a new scheme – Access First Titles – that will see programmes work with the BBC’s Creative Diversity Team and Access Co-ordinators to bring new talent onto their production teams to widen opportunities, provide a pathway for talented individuals to grow and progress and share learning across the organisation. Cast and crew will be supported with additional training.

The first titles will be Silent Witness, made by BBC Studios, and The Apprentice, a co-production from Naked (a Fremantle label) and MGM UK for BBC One. Both programmes will go into production early next year. 

The new commitments will complement the existing BBC Elevate scheme, which has been progressing the careers of mid-level disabled talent and supports 30 people with six-to-12-month placements within production companies, with tailored training, coaching and mentoring, and support for the company. 

As part of the TV Access Project, the BBC will work with the industry to deliver access guidelines for studios and facilities. The BBC has also pledged that all commissioners will undertake disability training in the next year and the producers of all new programmes will be able to have a supported conversation with an expert about access at the point of commission.

BBC Press Office

Notes to Editors

1. The Access Commitments are available to view here.
2. The TV Access Project’s new production guidelines for Disability Inclusion, the 5 As, are available to view here.
3. The commitments are the latest in a series of bold steps to transform the BBC’s programming and better represent disabled audiences. The BBC introduced the Disability Passport in 2020, containing details of staff’s disabilities and explaining any reasonable adjustments they may have in place. It encourages people to talk openly with their line managers and teams about their condition and what works best for them in the working environment.