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PACT Action Plan for the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN)
Introduction
The Producers' Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) welcomes the launch of the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN) Manifesto.
PACT, as a member of the Network, supports its aims:
- To increase the presence of disabled people on air and on screen
- To increase the number of disabled people in all areas of the workforce
- To increase access to services, on and off air
- To ensure access to its buildings
Definition of disability
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (1995) defines a disabled person as 'someone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial or long term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out day-to-day activities.' This definition includes not just those with mobility or sensory impairments but also a wide range of other impairments including mental health problems such as depression or schizophrenia, learning difficulties including dyslexia, diabetes, heart conditions, progressive and fluctuating conditions such as MS or epilepsy, and severe facial disfigurement.
Disability Discrimination – Key Facts and Figures
- "Disabled people have around £40 – £50 billion to spend – a fact that businesses and service providers need to bear in mind" (Bert Massie, Chair of the Disability Rights Commission).
- There are an estimated 8.6 million disabled people in Great Britain, nearly a fifth of the population, of whom at least 5.5 million are of working age. This is higher than the combined populations of Scotland and Wales.
- 17% of disabled people are born with a disability. The majority have acquired their disability during their working life or later.
- Disability is often associated with wheelchairs but only about 5% of disabled people use wheelchairs.
- Disabled people have no more likelihood of being generally ill than their non-disabled colleagues.
PACT Action Plan
PACT Internal
PACT agrees to the following actions as part of its Manifesto Commitment:
- to continue to support the activities of the BCIDN.
- to co-operate with the broadcasters policies on disability and diversity.
- to share non-commercially sensitive information and collaborate on industry research regarding disability.
- to support and assist the promotion of the film and television industry at careers events (in collaboration with the broadcasters, the unions and Skillset) to help target those sections of the population under-represented at the moment.
- to run at least two training seminars each year for PACT members to provide information about the requirements of the DDA and other legislation relating to disability and diversity.
- to promote the work of the BCIDN in the PACT magazine and on the PACT website
- to provide a downloadable version of 'Adjusting the Picture - A Producers' Guide to Disability' on the PACT website.
- to ensure as far as possible access to its website for visually impaired people.
- to ensure disabled access to its building and other venues for PACT events. (The PACT building is already accessible for motorised wheelchairs and every effort is made to find external venues with suitable access.)
- to audit its staff policies including recruitment to ensure they conform to the requirements of the DDA.
PACT Members – Onscreen Representation
PACT recognises that what appears on screen has a profound impact on the perceptions of society, and that productions which consistently exclude disabled people do not adequately reflect our society. PACT recognises that not all disabilities are visible, but will encourage its producer members to:
- support and facilitate disabled people to take part in the full range of mainstream programme genres (factual, entertainment, quiz shows, sport, childrens programmes, discussions, news and current affairs) on all subjects and not be confined to productions on disability issues only.
- support and facilitate disabled people to take part as studio audience, providing access including space for wheelchair users, induction loops, signers, access for guide dogs and other appropriate adjustments (recognising that such adjustments are a legitimate budget item).
- engage writers to create disabled characters in films, television drama series and serials, and entertainment programmes as an integral part of the story.
- support and facilitate the integrated casting of disabled actors, both in specifically disabled roles and non-disabled roles where possible.
PACT Members – Employment
PACT recognises the importance of having a diverse workforce across the film, television and new media industries, and therefore will encourage its producer members to:
- support the employment of disabled people in production and technical roles.
- provide work experience placements and training opportunities to disabled trainees.
- contribute to the proposed Disability Database, and make use of this, together with other recognised databases in the recruitment of disabled personnel.
- PACT will distribute this Action Plan to all its staff and PACT members and provide a downloadable copy on its website. PACT looks forward to working proactively to ensure the commitments contained within this Action Plan are implemented.
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