THIS WEEK
The Lead Story The Disability Issue
but sometimes they will require your expert advice on possible adaptations. It is far more empowering to approach the challenges of disabilit from the angle that we are a team and everybody succeeds if we work together.
Accessibility Accessibilit isn’t just ramps and blue badge spaces—only 8% of disabled people use wheelchairs. True accessibilit is ensuring that everything from websites, submission portals, meetings, events, printed material and communications are accessible to all. Consult with disabled employees and
service users and ask them what they need, what is working and what isn’t; value their feedback over non-disabled experts and carers. You might need to adapt the form of communication, use large print or audio, closed captions or British Sign Language, but these are small steps that will ensure your project is the best it can be.
It is far more empowering to approach the challenges of disability from the angle that we are a team and everybody succeeds if we work together
If you are puting out a call for under- represented writers, remember to include disabled people. Provide contact details so they are able to discuss any access concerns and share details of your experience with working with disabled authors, so they know they will be welcome.
You can download disabilit arts organisa- tion Unlimited’s “Cards for Inclusion”, a free card game that explores how barriers to access can be removed. It encourages new, creative thinking to old, oſten unappreciated problems. Building in access from the start of a project or event is far cheaper and easier.
Meetings and events
All events and meetings must be physically accessible, with step-free access to buildings and stages, appropriate seating and provi- sions for those with specific impairments, for example hearing loops or British Sign Language interpreters. For those unable to travel, there also
needs to be a virtual alternative. Up until the pandemic, we were told this was impossible, but now we know it’s not only possible but easy to achieve. This progress must not be lost despite any returns to “normal”. You can read more about accessible events and the Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses events guide in the article by Helen Barrell (see p17).
The Purple Pound
As established by other “own voice” authors, representation maters, not just to disabled readers, but also on a broader scale of under- standing experiences that are not our own. This doesn’t only apply to fiction. Disabled authors are capable of writing on a diverse range of subjects and their insights on life- stle, relationships, travel, sport and nature, to name but a few, are severely missing from bookshelves.
Disabled people are not represented in all genres, and disabled households are also oſten overlooked when it comes to spending power; known as the Purple Pound, businesses are losing over £2bn a month by ignoring the needs of disabled people.
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24th September 2021
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