Upcoming programmes about disability on the BBC - January 2021

Cher_Alumni

The representation of disabled people on TV is vital to dismantling stigma and lacking awareness about life with impairments.  

Therefore, we warmly welcome a trio of programmes lined up by the BBC that speak up about the issues that matter to disabled groups.

What programmes are coming up?

• Tonight (19 January 2021) at 9pm on BBC Two is 'Silenced: The Hidden Story of Disabled Britain'.  This programme looks at the historic oppression of disabled people in the UK, the fight for freedom, and what remains to be done.

• Tomorrow (20 January 2021) at 9pm on BBC Two is 'Targeted: The Truth about Disability Hate Crime'.  This documentary tackles the incredibly challenging topic of disability hate crime, speaking to those who have experienced it and asking more broadly why it happens.  TW: This programme promises to be a difficult watch and we recommend exercising caution and avoiding it should you feel that's right for you.  

• On Monday 25 January 2021 at 8.30pm, 'Katie Price: Harvey and Me' will be aired.  Katie is a widely renowned celebrity who will be sharing her thoughts as her son Harvey reaches 18 and moves into full-time residential care.  

Will you be watching?

Please let us know if you catch any of the programmes above and tell us what you thought  

phandi

Cher_Scope thanks for bringing these to my attention.
The more awareness that is raised, the better it will be.
I am concerned that with the pandemic lockdowns we are invisible. I hope the able bodied public will welcome us back into the light when it's safe to get out again!

janer1967

I am planning on watching the one tonight and tomorrow 

Not sure about the other one as not a fan of Katie price 

66Mustang

I listened to a great program about disability on BBC Radio 4 Extra yesterday.

It was called Disability: a new history.

The one I listened to was devoted to an MP in the 1800s who wrote a book on being disabled in the 19th century and was really interesting. Obviously his experience was from a privileged point of view - he had no issues with money or being out of work - but it still provides some insight as to what it was like to live as a disabled person back then. 

Forgive me if I don’t get it entirely accurate as I was driving at the time and I concentrate hard on my driving. 

One thing that stood out was that he mentioned that disabled people should not think about what they can’t do but what they can by using the parts of their body and mind that are NOT disabled to the best of their ability. I think that rings true today.

phandi

66Mustang said:

I listened to a great program about disability on BBC Radio 4 Extra yesterday.

It was called Disability: a new history.

The one I listened to was devoted to an MP in the 1800s who wrote a book on being disabled in the 19th century and was really interesting. Obviously his experience was from a privileged point of view - he had no issues with money or being out of work - but it still provides some insight as to what it was like to live as a disabled person back then. 

Forgive me if I don’t get it entirely accurate as I was driving at the time and I concentrate hard on my driving. 

One thing that stood out was that he mentioned that disabled people should not think about what they can’t do but what they can by using the parts of their body and mind that are NOT disabled to the best of their ability. I think that rings true today.

66Mustang that certainly resonates with me. thanks for highlighting the program, I'll check it out

deb74

I watched a programme on BBC 4  a  couple of days. It was presented by a woman who used to work on kids tv (can't remember her name). She started off by reading some comments about her being on kids tv. One comment that she read out was from a father he said that this woman being on tv would give his child nightmares. I saw her on tv years ago when my sisters kids were staying with me and thought it was great that a disabled presenter was on kids tv. I was horrified by that comment. It was a very interesting programme about the attitude of society to disability from the 1870's to the present day. It showed just how a lot of peoples attitudes haven't changed over the years. I then watched a documentary on BBC2 last night about disabled people being subjected to hate crime. it was horrendous! One woman was targeted because she was in a wheelchair. People were leaving rubbish outside her front door and throwing eggs as her car. Eventually she had to move house because she felt that her life might be in danger as the abuse was getting worse. Another woman was beaten up because she had dwarfism. She was so scared that she could no longer go out the house on her own and moved out of the house that she had lived in for 55yrs. Another woman who was blind also had to move house due to being abused.

Lisatho11987777

@deb74 yes it stills go on in the world my old neighbour  where  I used to live had a mobility car  people used to scratch threw paint all over it let her tyres down it was horrendous 

I dint know whats wrong with people

Richard_Scope

I have to admit I found the disability hate crime programme a bit of a tough watch. I have been spat at and had people shout things from passing cars. On one occasion I was physically assaulted. Weirdly though, the one incident that stayed with me the longest was when a black cab driver wouldn’t push me up the ramps without gloves. I asked him why? He said, “I don’t want to catch what you’ve got”.

Lisatho11987777

@Richard_Scope thats ignorance for you people used to think they could catch lupus off me  disability discrimination comes in all shapes and sizes 

deb74

What was wrong with that taxi driver. Doesn't he know you can't catch a disability from someone. I can't believe people are so ignorant! I was spat at by a guy who was standing on a bridge I was walking under and when I looked up I was told  by someone that the guy who spat had run off but I am not sure if he meant to spit at me specifically or he just thought it would be fun to spit at someone. I have also had a bottle of coke thrown at me from a moving car. But again I am not sure if it was specifically meant for me or if someone just thought it would be funny to do . I  have always seemed to be the butt of a lot of peoples jokes over the years which is the main reason why I work for myself. I was always getting bullied and laughed at.

janer1967

The programme last night was very tough to watch but hope it goes to change just a few peoples behaviour towards disabled people 

Cress

My son has obvious learning
difficulties and facial malformation  so he's had the name calling and staring...in a supermarket people would go to the other side of the aisle or go back the way they came.

I did once see karma in action though, a teenage boy was pushing a shopping trolley for his mum and his head was turned back for so long staring, he ended up banging into her ankles with the trolley, she turned round and gave him a right belt around the head....this did not distress me...lol

Lisatho11987777

@Cress sorry to hear that its awful that even in this day and age glad karma kicked in there I have always believed in karma 

Cress

Thanks @lisathomas50
Yes the world can be a totally skewed experience for many, unfortunately.

OverlyAnxious

deb74 said:

I then watched a documentary on BBC2 last night about disabled people being subjected to hate crime. it was horrendous! One woman was targeted because she was in a wheelchair. People were leaving rubbish outside her front door and throwing eggs as her car. Eventually she had to move house because she felt that her life might be in danger as the abuse was getting worse. Another woman was beaten up because she had dwarfism. She was so scared that she could no longer go out the house on her own and moved out of the house that she had lived in for 55yrs. Another woman who was blind also had to move house due to being abused.

I watched that one as well.  Very tough watch as others have said. 

I just don't understand the people who do these things at all.  One thing that really annoys me in general daily life is ignorant/inconsiderate actions of a few that make life worse for others inadvertently.  But to make a conscious decision to physically abuse someone or make their life hell is just absurd.  How can they think it's acceptable?  What do they get out of it? 

I fully understand that some people will feel jealous, especially when they work hard and can't afford what disabled people appear to get for 'free'...but there's a huge difference between a bit of resentment and the physical abuse that is going on here.  

Tbh it's worried me about moving and getting a new car now.  I like to think my area is quite nice, and there are a couple of Motability cars in our carpark already...but I guess there's no way of knowing what the new area will be like until you get there.

66Mustang

@OverlyAnxious I think it’s that some people are bullies and bullies are naturally cowards so will pick on what they perceive as the easiest targets which I guess they assume disabled people are as they are unlikely to be able to fight back.

I know what you mean about people feeling jealous of what it seems like people are getting for free but I would give up my benefits and car any day to make my illnesses go away. 

I feel jealous of the person who works hard but can’t afford a new car but doesn’t have any disability but I don’t go around abusing them

Lisatho11987777

@66Mustang thst is a brilliant way to put it 

I might have a disability but I have always stood up for myself 

Some  people  have no morals  its awful how disabled people are bullied and ridiculed  I am glad  that new laws have been brought out to deal with bullying