Training opportunities for people with disabilities
Colleges and other training providers
Many colleges and training organisations are still very inaccessible, but some have built up valuable experience working with disabled people, and even those with limited access facilities will often go to great lengths to try to meet the needs of disabled students. Find out about college sites or training locations, as well as course support facilities, before accepting a place. Visit the site and talk to tutors to discuss your learning needs. Some universities and colleges have access support units or a designated Disability Adviser.
New legislation should ensure the right of access to training and education at all levels, although in practice this might take time to implement. The Disability Rights Commission and Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities can advise.
The broadcasters
The BBC
The BBC actively welcomes applications from disabled people. Opportunities are advertised in the broadcast and disability press, online and on Ceefax 696. Vacancies can be viewed at www.bbc.co.uk/jobs and there is a Disability Employment Advisor in BBC Recruitment who can advise on disability support services. There are opportunities for work placements for disabled people in a range of departments.
Their Disability Programmes Unit (DPU) has contract opportunities for programme staff. Competition, as elsewhere in broadcasting, is very strong, and a good understanding of disability issues is required. Posts in the DPU offer strong disability access support, and can give an excellent career start.
ITV and five
Individual companies recruit specifically for disabled people from time to time. Advertisements appear in the media press and in disability publications. Most large broadcasters are members of the Broadcasters’ Disability Network. These companies have a commitment to seeking and supporting disabled employees and have produced their own Action Plans.
Channel 4
Virtually all programmes for Channel 4 are made by independent production companies, so opportunities for production jobs within the channel are very limited. Contact the HR Department for information about training initiatives and placements. Channel 4 employs a Disability Adviser and has a disability database on which disabled people with a variety of skills and talents can place their names. This internal database is used by Channel 4 and the independent companies which it commissions - 4 Disabled Talent
