Broadcasters' pledge to disabled

Dancers in wheelchairs feature on BBC One

The UK's major broadcasters have pledged to increase the presence of people with disabilities both in front of and behind the cameras.

BBC Director General Greg Dyke was among those at the launch of a manifesto to increase the job opportunities for disabled people in the broadcasting industry.

Actress Kim Tserkezie helped launch the initiative

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell said the UK's nine million people with disabilities deserved better representation.

The BBC, BSkyB, Carlton, Granada and Channel 4 were among the broadcasters to sign up to the Broadcasters' Disability Network (BDN), and have drawn up their own action plans.

Just 0.9% of those working in the broadcasting industry have disabilities - compared with almost 15% of the population as a whole.

All of the BDN's members have pledged to:

• increase the presence of disabled people on air and on screen
• increase the number in the workforce
• increase access to services on- and off-air
• ensure access to all buildings

The BDN's chairman, Carlton managing director Colin Stanbridge, described the manifesto as a "real turning point" in the opportunities for disabled people.

"Obviously, the proof will be whether fine words are turned into concrete actions," he said.

Disabled people should expect their lives to be presented in a way that is not patronising

Tessa Jowell
Culture minister

"However, having read all the action plans published today, I am sure that we are on the verge of real change."

The BBC comedy All About Me centres around a boy with cerebral palsy, while the new BBC One "idents" - aired between shows - include dancers in wheelchairs.

A storyline on Channel 4 drama Hollyoaks is also tacking the issue, with one of the characters coming to terms with being paralysed.

All About Me features a boy with cerebral palsy

Ms Jowell said disabled people were an important part of society and should not be sidelined.

"It is quite right that they should expect their lives to be presented in a way that is not patronising and recognises their individuality and concerns," she said.

"I look forward to seeing the pledges set out by the BDN manifesto being turned into concrete action."