UK TV Disability Hiring Target May Not Be Met Until 2028
Author: Creative Diversity Network (CDN)
Published: 4 Aug 2026
Publication Type: Findings
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This report presents an independent Creative Diversity Network review of how disabled people are represented across the UK television industry, published as part of the Doubling Disability campaign that broadcasters launched in 2018. The key finding is that the proportion of disabled people in off-screen production roles rose only 0.9%, from 4.5% in 2017 to 5.4% in 2020, meaning the 9% target may not be reached until 2028 at the earliest, with full representation of the working age population unlikely before 2041. It affects disabled workers, freelancers, broadcasters, and industry bodies including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, and UKTV, and it matters because 83% of surveyed disabled workers said conversations about access requirements with employers felt uncomfortable, pointing to persistent attitudinal and structural barriers. Drawing on data from the Diamond diversity monitoring system and direct survey testimony from disabled workers, the review offers a grounded evidence base and practical recommendations - covering training, Access to Work guidance, and recruitment routes - that carry particular weight for disabled people, seniors, and others navigating employment barriers in the sector.*
At a Glance
- 1 - The Doubling Disability campaign was launched in 2018.
- 2 - The 2020 deadline was extended to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 3 - The BBC committed £112M to on-air and off-air creative diversity, its largest such investment.
- 4 - CDN manages Diamond, described as the world's first online diversity data collection system for broadcasting.
Topic Definition
- Doubling Disability
Doubling Disability is a UK television industry campaign, coordinated by the Creative Diversity Network and supported by the country's main broadcasters, that commits to doubling the percentage of disabled people employed in off-screen production roles across the sector. First launched in 2018 with input from disabled people's organizations, it set an original target of reaching 9% representation, twice the 2017 baseline, using data gathered through the Diamond diversity monitoring system to track progress. The campaign combines measurement with practical intervention, pairing published statistics on hiring and retention with recommendations on training, reasonable adjustments, and recruitment designed to remove the barriers that keep disabled workers and freelancers from entering and progressing within the broadcasting industry.
Overview
UK TV Industry Could Take Until 2028 to Hit Doubling Disability Target
The Creative Diversity Network (CDN) has has released a major, independent review of the representation of disabled people across the UK's television industry as part of its Doubling Disability campaign.
Doubling Disability was launched in 2018 with the involvement of disabled people's organizations and is backed by the UK's main broadcasters and other industry bodies. Today's review builds on a previous research report and is being used as an evidence base to design activities carried out as part of the Doubling Disability campaign.
At the center of the initiative is a commitment by the UK's main broadcasters to double the percentage of disabled people working in off-screen roles across the UK television industry by the end of 2020, later extended to the end of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data held by the Diamond diversity monitoring system show there has been only a small increase of 0.9% in the proportion of disabled people in off-screen TV production roles from 4.5% in 2017 to 5.4% in 2020.
If the rate of progress from 2017 to 2020 is maintained, it will be 2028 at the earliest before the Doubling Disability target of 9% is met; and the industry will not be representative of the UK working age population in terms of disability until 2041 at the earliest.
The newly commissioned independent report also includes an analysis of a survey commissioned by CDN of disabled workers' experiences within the television industry. The analysis highlights that many respondents described how initially positive views of their suitability for a job changed after they disclosed a condition or impairment, with 83% saying that they found conversations about raising access requirements with [potential] employers or clients uncomfortable. A widespread lack of understanding about the barriers faced by disabled people, issues such as how to take simple, reasonable measures to make workplaces more inclusive, and how to access available support from government and other providers was also identified.
Deborah Williams, CDN Executive Director said:
"It has been a year that has tested the industry and its ability to adjust to changes both cultural and financial. As well as adapting admirably to working in the pandemic, the new measures that have been put in place for better race and ethnicity representation are to be applauded. So I'm hopeful that the message about disability will also be embraced: disabled workers are looking for more broadcasting work, which suggests the talent needed to fulfill the Doubling Disability commitment exists."
"The report does however reveal that misguided attitudes are still throwing up barriers to entry and career progression at every level. The industry has shown that it is capable of responding to the need for change - the recommendations in our report provide some fresh ideas to support the industry to get back on track."
The authors of the report make a number of recommendations that will require working together to bring about the change that all the CDN board members agree is necessary. To start this process CDN will prioritize the following:
Attitudes, awareness and knowledge about disability and disabled people working in TV broadcasting.
- Provide an industry-wide extended program of role-specific disability equality training for employers and non-disabled workers in the industry, including training for managers of disabled talent, for all staff who might work on a project including freelancers.
- Promote appropriate budgeting for training and development providers and review the format of their programs to ensure they are accessible to disabled people including ensuring residential sessions do not create unnecessary barriers.
CDN Activity
CDN will extend its Train the Trainer program aligning with Screenskills for wider delivery.
Reasonable adjustments and Access to Work
- Commission an evaluation and review of Disability Passports or similar documents. These should be co-created and developed with disabled people to establish good practice, any ethical issues and the impact on removing barriers to entry, retention and progression of disabled people.
- Create standard and industry-specific simple guides to Access to Work for disabled employees.
- Increase the urgency of work with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to raise awareness of the needs of disabled off-screen and on-screen employees, especially freelancers, in relation to Access to Work and other support payments.
CDN Activity
CDN will work with broadcaster disability representatives to develop an industry-wide solution. Entry, recruitment and retention
- Directly involve disabled people in the continued design and implementation of paid apprenticeship, internships, start-up schemes and other entry routes into Broadcast schemes specifically targeted at disabled people.
- Establish and support employee disability networks.
CDN Activity
CDN will continue to liaise with member diversity and inclusion leads for regular updates about advancements in this area.
Quotes from Broadcasters and PACT
Miranda Wayland, BBC Head of Creative Diversity, said:
"Over the last year, the BBC has boosted its commitment to disability representation and supported the progression of disabled talent through a number of initiatives such as BBC Elevate and The Writers Access Group. Looking forward, I'm confident that our £112M Creative Diversity commitment, which is the industry's biggest financial investment in on and off-air inclusion, including disability inclusion, will bring about real, sustainable change and will help disabled talent succeed at all levels. However, we recognize that there's still more we can do as an industry to achieve our Doubling Disability commitment and we will continue to work closely with the CDN and our broadcasting partners to meet this ambitious target."
Zaid Al-Qassab, Chief Marketing Officer and Inclusion & Diversity Director of Channel 4 said:
"Disability representation remains a real problem in our industry. We set out our Channel 4 creative diversity Disability Strategy earlier this week, with actions to boost disability inclusion on and off screen. We want to see more disabled talent working and progressing in TV, and we need a range of interventions to accelerate the change. We will continue to work with CDN, program makers and broadcasting partners to improve representation, and track progress against our own disability related targets."
Ade Rawcliffe, Group Director of Diversity and Inclusion, ITV said:
"This sobering report highlights the urgent work needed to improve disability inclusion. Accelerating progress with increased investment, clear actions and measurable outcomes is a key priority in Year 2 of our Diversity Acceleration Plan. This includes a focus on: senior level talent, on screen representation, establishing a disabled talent pool to work in production on our shows, ring fencing places on all our schemes and initiatives, and educating ourselves to improve disability awareness across ITV and within the shows we produce. This work builds on the improvements ITV has seen in disability representation within our own workforce and in on screen roles as reported in the Fourth Cut Diamond report; and through initiatives like Original Voices and the RE:Calibrate mentoring program. We welcome the opportunity the CDN creates for us to work collaboratively and will continue to work with our broadcasting partners to drive disability inclusion."
Zai Bennett Managing Director of Content, Sky UK and Ireland said:
"The TV industry has a significant role to play in increasing disability inclusion across the cultural sector. The data from Diamond clearly highlights that more needs to be done to increase opportunities for disabled people to work across the TV industry. In addition to the commitments we have made as a member of The Valuable 500, we will act on these findings and the recommendations of the report to make our industry a more diverse and inclusive place for everyone."
Richard Watsham, UKTV's Director of Commissioning, said:
"The Doubling Disability interim report shows how significant the challenge is to get fair representation in our industry. This exclusion has gone on too long. As we emerge from the pandemic, it's essential that we take the opportunity this provides to redouble our efforts and start taking actions that create significant and sustainable change. Helping to drive these changes is why UKTV recently joined the CDN. We are currently addressing barriers to entry within UKTV Originals by opening up an Access Fund to pay for adjustments and help level the playing field for disabled hires at all levels."
Maria Kyriacou, President, ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia said:
"This report shows how far we clearly still have to go as an industry. ViacomCBS' 'No Diversity, No Commission' policy underpins our commitment to accelerating progress in diversity, equity and inclusion, and disability is a key area of focus. It is imperative that we give disabled talent more opportunities both on- and off-screen in order to be reflective of society at large, and in particular we're prioritizing increased representation among our off-screen production workforce. We will continue to build on our existing initiatives and to collaborate with CDN, our production partners, broadcast peers and industry bodies to strive towards positive change and truly be an industry for all."
John McVey, CEO of PACT said:
"The report paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by disabled people in our industry. Pact supports the CDN's aims and initiatives to achieve its Doubling Disability target earlier than the seven years it currently estimates it will take, and is also rolling out its own support for Pact members via the Pact Inclusion Tool, to help make their businesses more inclusive."
About CDN
CDN exists to enable the UK Broadcasting industry to increase diversity and inspire inclusion both on and off screen. They work with their members towards a broadcasting industry with equality at its core. They manage Diamond, the world's first and original online diversity data collection system, for the UK television and broadcasting industry. Their aims include:
Measure: Capturing diversity and inclusion data. Ensuring every part of the UK Broadcasting supply chain understands the diversity and inclusivity landscape.
Unite: Uniting the industry by sharing best practice and creating the forums for collaboration to identify and celebrate the actions that improve diversity and inclusion.
Support: Supporting the industry with honesty and openness to ensure that actions are undertaken for measurable progress.
Their members are the BBC, BAFTA, Channel 4, ITN, ITV, Pact, Screenskills, Sky, S4C, ViacomCBS, and UKTV.
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
What is the Creative Diversity Network
The Creative Diversity Network is a UK organization that works with broadcasting members to increase diversity and inclusion on and off screen, and it manages the Diamond diversity data collection system.
What is the Diamond monitoring system
Diamond is an online diversity data collection system for the UK television and broadcasting industry that captures information on who works on screen and off screen across productions.
What is Access to Work
Access to Work is a UK government scheme that can provide practical and financial support to help disabled people start or stay in employment by paying for workplace adjustments.
Which broadcasters back the Doubling Disability campaign
Members supporting the work include the BBC, BAFTA, Channel 4, ITN, ITV, Pact, Screenskills, Sky, S4C, ViacomCBS, and UKTV.
What is a Disability Passport
A Disability Passport is a document that records an individual workers agreed adjustments so they do not have to renegotiate their access needs each time they change roles or managers.
Why do freelancers face particular barriers in television
Freelancers often move between short term contracts and employers, which can make it harder to secure consistent adjustments, access ongoing support, and build the relationships that aid career progression.
What does off screen representation mean in television
Off screen representation refers to people working in production roles behind the camera, such as directors, producers, editors, and crew, rather than presenters or performers seen by viewers.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: What gives this review its edge is that the industry set its own bar and then measured itself honestly against it, publishing numbers that are far from flattering. The commitment came from the UK's biggest broadcasters, yet the movement of less than a single percentage point over three years shows how wide the gap remains between stated intent and lived experience for disabled off-screen workers, especially freelancers who often fall through the cracks of formal support like Access to Work. Executive Director Deborah Williams frames the problem plainly, noting that misguided attitudes still block entry and progression at every level, while broadcasters from ITV to ViacomCBS acknowledge how far there is to go. The practical value here lies in the specificity of the response - disability equality training, co-created Disability Passports, employee networks, and closer work with the Department for Work and Pensions - which turns a sobering set of figures into a workable roadmap the sector can actually be held to.*
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Creative Diversity Network (CDN) and published on 4 Aug 2026, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.