News UK has created the first-ever conference highlighting the impact people with disabilities make on the journalism industry. The conference will launch in March 2022.<\/p>\n
Panellists will discuss the benefits journalists with disabilities bring to their newsrooms, as well as how journalism can be made more accessible to readers and tips on how aspiring journalists can break into the industry.<\/p>\n
Dominic Carter, group chief commercial officer at News UK said: ““Alongside the wider industry, we want to learn how to be better equipped to recruit and retain people with disabilities, and to take learnings from experts, as we continue to develop our products to make them accessible to all. <\/p>\n
“This forum will enrich our business, and beyond, with the knowledge to foster new talent and insight into how to make the media more accessible than ever.”<\/p>\n
Those speaking include the NCTJ’s head of partnerships and projects, Will Gore, as well as features writer at The Sun Kate Docherty and junior journalist at The Times Georgia Lambert. Award winning Times journalist Melanie Reid will also give a keynote speech.<\/p>\n
Mr Gore said: “Making professional journalism training accessible to all is one of the NCT’s core objectives. Supporting people with disabilities into industry is therefore an important priority, and our work through the Journalism Diversity Fund and other recent projects bears testament to that. <\/p>\n
“Of course, there remains more to do, and we’re delighted to come together with other journalists and media organisations at News UK’s conference to share insights and discuss ideas for the future.”<\/p>\n
Speakers also include those from the BBC, Ability Access and Think Bigger, amongst others.<\/p>\n