inclusion


for my own cognitive processing and learning experiences.” Julia Jacobie, chair of the Association of Verbatim Speech-


to-Text Reporters, says: “Once people got the hang of online meetings, the requests for speech to text captioning online just exploded. It seems that clients want to make their events as inclusive as possible but also more people who need it are asking for this support.” Lisney points out that inclusion is a not new concept: “Running an in-person event, you’d ask about access needs. It’s the same online. Allocate someone to organise access and offer tech support. Look at whether you need to book a British Sign Language interpreter.” Chat functions allow participants to contribute and a


designated meeting facilitator can read out comments so nobody is excluded. Chat can also be used to summarise key points. However, be aware that the chat box can interfere with screen-reading software. Additionally, screenreaders and those dialling in are excluded from chat and participatory features such as the raise hand button to speak or emojis. Visuals, screensharing and PowerPoint slides also pose access issues. Providing slides in advance where requested and reading out or describing visual content improves accessibility. Galpin adds you should “ask invitees to let you know their access needs in advance. Breaks every hour or 90 minutes are an adjustment that can benefit all. What works for disabled people actually benefits everybody.” Freelances and increasingly employees are expected to


have a multitude of skills to work and promote themselves. Networking events, industry-specific talks and skills training are crucial for journalists adapting their work to survive the pandemic. There’s no shortage of events to sign up for, including courses run by the Federation of Entertainment Unions, NUJ Training Wales and NUJ Training Scotland. April Ryan, journalism graduate and intern with Journo Resources, found online courses more accessible and has embraced events that provide her with opportunities to build journalistic experience. “Travel was a barrier for me before – I found it exhausting and expensive,” she says. “I miss face-to-face interactions but I’ve been able to improve my confidence, build networks and create opportunities for myself online. I can be more assertive about offering my skills and engaging in conversations via the chat box.” However, few bespoke training opportunities exist for


journalists who have specific skills and access requirements, such as freelance journalist Dawn Sanders, who could not secure an Access to Work grant (see box). “The further training I need is like gold dust,” she says. “I do feel like I have multiple barriers to negotiate to keep my skills sharp.” Sanders believes “there should be funding for journalists


with additional needs to be able to pay for the bespoke training that is involved”. For her, this requires an understanding of “how a person with a visual impairment uses a screen reader and how to navigate with the commands, not the mouse, so the training has to be specialised and from the right person”. Galpin points out that the “speed at which training is


delivered can be a barrier for cognitive processing but, equally, I’ve been able to join in some high-stakes meetings that I wouldn’t have had capacity to attend before, such as a global conference on disabled people under Covid. I could contribute meaningfully and find that what I said resonated, giving me unexpected and positive reinforcement. These informal professional development opportunities would


State support


KNOWN by the disability movement as the Department for Work and Pensions’ best-kept secret, the Access to Work scheme provides funding and expertise to support disabled people at work. Individuals can access


assistive technologies and software, personal assistant support, funding for travel and advice on reasonable adjustments to working practices that enable them to fulfil their role. Many employers and


disabled people are not aware of the support they could secure through the scheme. Both freelancers and staff can


“ ”


apply for an Access to Work assessment via the Gov.uk site. But it’s not plain sailing. Ann Galpin says an


irregular work history can be a barrier: “Disabled freelancers and those without employer support may struggle to provide evidence of eligibility.” Eleanor Lisney says she


found it difficult to persuade Access to Work it needed to support self-employed people: “You don’t get paid for everything you do, but you are still working.” Yet the scheme can be


transformative. “My Smartpen has been amazing,” says Lynn Degele, who has ADHD and dyspraxia. “It


records audio, minutes and notes and collates them into a digital notebook that organises the files.” Access to Work: https:// www.gov.uk/access-to-work TUC guidance: https:// tinyurl.com/yytj3rkl EHRC guidance on reasonable adjustments: https://tinyurl.com/y2k8rwla Speech to Text Reporters: https://avsttr.org.uk/ BSL Interpreters: https:// asli.org.uk (Note: ask BSL users who their preferred interpreter is – there are regional dialects of BSL) ACAS neurodiversity advice: https://archive.acas. org.uk/neurodiversity NUJ Disabled Members https://www.nuj.org.uk/ rights/disabled-members/


Breaks every hour or 90 minutes are an adjustment that can benefit all. What works for disabled people actually benefits everybody


have been inaccessible pre-Covid.” Chair of NUJ Oxford Branch Lynn Degele found working remotely brought benefits of streamlining communications with the use of online collaboration tools: “There is more knowledge sharing online than in the office, keeping people more in the loop. Instant messaging is used much more – it cuts out formalities and is to the point. I can respond or choose to delay if I need to stay focused. It makes it much easier.” Access to informal networking and relationship building has been cut. Lisney highlights the loss of opportunities to go to the pub or cafe after an event to “socialise and talk to people you may not meet otherwise”. She feels this limits the ability to build the trust required for disabled people to share their support needs. “The pandemic has had an emotional impact for everybody but more so for disabled people. Working remotely is a very isolating experience – the support isn’t there online.” John Pring, editor of the Disability News Service, is concerned


about the lack of political party conferences and “extra delays in the freedom of information system. The last eight months have been a real challenge as a disabled journalist, particularly when there has never been a time when disabled people have more of a need to hold politicians to account for their decisions.” The working environment is likely to remain in flux for a considerable time and each shift brings new accessibility challenges. For journalists who are at high risk if they contract Covid-19, working from home may remain necessary. For anybody who has ever been the sole person dialling into a meeting, the idea of ‘hybrid’ meetings of in-person and remote attendees will not be pleasant. The solution is not just in improvements to technology –


cultural change is needed to bring in a new era of inclusive working practises that do not leave disabled colleagues isolated and forgotten. Degele says she has “become creative with solutions, spotting opportunities that wouldn’t have occurred in the office.” It’s an approach we can all learn from.


theJournalist | 15


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