7 November
Disabled people still under-represented on television – survey
The majority of television viewers say they would like to see more disabled people on screen.
That's according to a new survey conducted for the Employers' Forum on Disability's Broadcasting & Creative Industries' Disability Network (BCIDN).
The results of a You Gov poll carried out in early October were announced to senior players in the industry last month.
Seventy-seven per cent of those polled said they would not find it offensive to see a disabled person hosting a mainstream TV programme and only 9% said they wouldn't want to see people with facial disfigurements and 'severe' disabilities in programmes such as soaps or quiz shows.
Other results from the survey included:
- Only 4% of adults disagreed with the statement that it is good to see more disabled people on TV these days.
- 78% agreed that they would not be bothered if a disabled person presented the main evening news.
- Only 9% disagreed with the statement that there should be more portrayals of disabled people on TV in a wider variety of roles.
The You Gov survey results were based on an online representative sample of 2716 adults. Fieldwork was conducted from 3rd to 6th October 2006.
Ends
The You Gov questionnaire asked the question: 'Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?'
The following results followed:
- I think it's good that you see more disabled people on TV these days.
- Agree 49%
- Neither agree / disagree 45%
- Disagree 4%;
- Don't know 2%
- It would not bother me if a disabled person read the main evening news.
- Agree 78%
- Neither agree / disagree 15%
- Disagree 5%
- Don't know 2%
- I would find it offensive to see a disabled person hosting a programme like a chat show.
- Agree 6%
- Neither agree / disagree 15%
- Disagree 77%
- Don't know 2%
- I think there should be more portrayals of disabled people on TV in a wider variety of roles.
- Agree 43%;
- Neither agree / disagree 46%;
- Disagree 9%;
- Don't know 2%
- I don't want to see people with disfigurements or 'severe' disabilities in mainstream programming such as soaps or quiz shows.
- Agree 9%
- Neither agree/disagree 27%
- Disagree 61%
- Don't know 4%
For further information on the BCIDN contact manager Jenny Stevens by email jenny.stevens@employers-forum.co.uk
For further information on the Employers' Forum on Disability contact the Employers' Forum on Disability press officer Issy Rule
Issy RuleEmployers' Forum on Disability press office
Telephone: 020 7403 3020
Mobile: 07754 522 521
Email: issy.rule@employers-forum.co.uk
Web: www.employers-forum.co.uk