Everything to read and watch this National Inclusion Week
A bumper list of all the disability media to engage with this week
Inclusion seems to be something of a buzzword, especially when you look on social media - or even at the cultural wallpaper of what shapes our lives and discourse when it comes to the news. There is still a modicum of ‘debate’ over what this means, as well as whether or not we have gone too far - and yet, far too often, disability is left out of the mix on too many occasions.
‘Disability’ is the world’s largest minority group by far - and is actually measured at being more than 20% of the UK’s population. The UK government have more specific statistics on numbers they have since measured, too. It is also a rapidly growing group, due to factors such as an ageing population, as well as when it comes to the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, and individuals who have been left drastically affected.
Today marks the start of National Inclusion Week - and while that has typically been considered in terms of employment and access to the workplace, we have compiled a list of disability media we believe everyone should engage with. Allyship is about an ongoing process that lasts throughout our life time - and we can all continue to learn to the best of our ability.
Here is a small list of our recommendations for you:
Broadcast Media:
Then Barbara Met Alan, BBC iPlayer. When it comes to inclusion, disability has so often taken a societal backseat - and thanks to the DAN organisation, headed up by one Barbara Lipsicki and her partner, the UK got its first legislative action on disability rights. It’s why we have the Equality Act today. This is a TV drama written by Jack Thorne, known for taking on the cause of disability representation on screen. It is a love story, one centred on disability - it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, but this is what inclusion has to look like for an equitable society. Available now.
The Unique Boutique, Channel 4. Adaptive fashion - as in, clothing that is disability inclusive - is having something of a ‘moment’. We saw it at London Fashion Week earlier this year - and this is a Channel 4 programme about a group of disabled designers who get together to take on the challenge of inaccessible clothing. Sign in to All4 to watch all episodes.
Attacking The Devil. A crucial look at the back story of Thalidomide, and how a group of journalists battled for the rights of the survivors at a time of inaccessibility - and how that fight continues to this day. This is sometimes available on Netflix, but is also now on Amazon Prime. Attacking The Devil is now available on Amazon Prime.
Podcasts:
The AccessAble Podcast. Okay - so we may well be blowing our own trumpet on this one - but we think that you should definitely tune into our very own podcast - and by signing up to this newsletter, you will get updates in this very inbox! We tackle big issues of accessibility in the disability space. Make sure to visit our archive to listen back to all episodes.
The Labled Podcast. Our very own Lucy Wood and her podcasting partner chat to a different person every 2 weeks about all things disability - and that has included some of our very own ambassadors. You can visit their website to find out more.
Disabled & Proud Podcast. This podcast is a conversational series with a range of people to delve into issues that matter - such as around access to cooking, and so much more. You can now listen to the podcast on Spotify.
Like what you see? Please consider subscribing to The AccessAble Dispatch for twice monthly updates on all things accessibility in the disability space.
Books:
University & Chronic Illness: A Survival Guide by Pippa Stacey. Our very own ambassador, theatre blogger and writer Pippa Stacey, has written a book about all the ins and outs of how to cope with university when you have an additional chronic illness to also contend with. We highly recommend it - and you can grab your copy by visiting her website. Don’t forget to also check out our education Access Guides.
Year Of The Tiger by Alice Wong. Alice Wong is the founder of the Disability Visibility Project - and this is her incredible life story. You don’t want to miss this.
See Me Rolling by Lottie Jackson. A memoir by the UK activist Lottie Jackson, one of our ambassadors is reading this at the moment - and would highly recommend it. Make sure to grab your copy now.
What’s on your cultural engagement list this national inclusion week?