CDN - Doubling Disability | Creative Diversity Network

Doubling Disability

Doubling Disability is a transformative initiative aimed at doubling the percentage of disabled people working in UK broadcasting.

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What is the Doubling Disability Programme?

Updated June 2025

Doubling Disability is a UK broadcasting initiative led by the Creative Diversity Network (CDN). Launched in 2018, backed by the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky, Channel 5/Viacom, ITN, Pact, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The programme was initially meant to run for 2 years; however, it was extended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic to be ongoing. Its aim: double the percentage of disabled people working in off-screen roles, from 4.5% to 9%, as measured by CDN’s industry-leading Diamond diversity data in The First Cut (2018).

Since the first report, a lot has been done across the industry to improve disability representation. New initiatives and projects have started, accelerating access, awareness, and inclusion for disabled people in the UK TV industry.

Our latest Diamond Data report, The Seven-point-five Cut (2025), shows the Doubling Disability initiative has reached its aim of doubling disability representation, three years earlier than predicted in the Doubling Disability Interim Report in 2021, which estimated reaching this goal in 2028, and 4 years later than 2021, which was first predicted at programme launch.

So, what do the numbers say? In 2022/23 to 23/24, Off-Screen figures show representation of disabled people at 9.6%, just over half of the UK population estimate (17.7%), while On-Screen, contributions by disabled people increased from 8.0% to 8.9%. This figure is initially short of the 9% target; however, the latest figures from August/December of 2024 suggest a continued increase to 9.7% – meaning the aim of reaching over 9% representation has been achieved.

Through the work done by CDN and across the industry over the last 6 years, we have Doubled Disability representation to over 9% in both off - and on-screen roles.

Together, we’re shaping a more inclusive future for UK broadcasting

Where Are We Now

Doubling Disability has evolved from a campaign into a wider movement for change, creating stronger partnerships, better training, and improved understanding across the industry.

Since the launch of the initiative, disability figures for the UK population and workforce estimates have increased. This means that overall, representation of disabled people in off-screen contributions continues to be less than half of the UK workforce estimate.

While the Doubling Disability’s initial aim has been reached, the journey continues for full representation. Together, we’re shaping a more inclusive future for UK broadcasting.

Exploring Our Doubling Disability Programme

How It Started

The project began in 2018 with the commission of the Doubling Disability Research Report, released in 2019, which highlighted the lack of shared learning and coordination across the industry.

Key recommendations included creating cross-industry training, sharing best practices, and supporting systemic change rather than one-off efforts.

CDN worked with members and partners to work towards these recommendations; however, this was paused during the pandemic as the industry worked on switching to safer working practices and working within the new climate.

Post-COVID, the Doubling Disability Interim report (2021) showed that at the current rate of progress, the 9% target would take until 2028 to achieve. From this report, CDN prioritized delivering a programme of work which included:

Extended Disability Training for the UK TV Industry
Work on resources that support people with Access to Work
Continue to work on cross-industry partnerships for industry-wide change

Building Change Through Training

A key focus of Doubling Disability has been education and capacity building. In 2020, CDN launched a Train the Trainer programme, training 4 cohorts of freelance trainers to learn how to deliver online disability training to the industry. We worked with learning specialist Emilie Forrest to develop a cohort of disability awareness trainers through a three-phase model:

Trainer development and coaching, including training in approved and tested learning methods.
Supported session delivery with feedback
Creation of new, industry-relevant courses.

By 2022, live training was being delivered across the sector, giving work to our freelance trainers and reaching hundreds of people. In 2023 and 2024, 60 sessions were delivered, and in 2025, we have reached over 1200 people through this training.

Our training has expanded across multiple topics within disability access and inclusion. The first module we added was commissioned by TAP, making CDN the first organisation to deliver 5As training for the industry. As of 2025, CDN delivers 6 sessions. Our first session, Disability in TV, is our foundational awareness-raising module, The 5As, Reasonable Adjustments, Managing and Retaining Disabled Talent, Accessible Productions, and Neurodiversity Inclusion. As of Summer 2025, CDN no longer offers this training.

Access to Work in TV Guide

In partnership with Disability Arts Online, CDN created practical video guides for navigating the Access to Work (AtW) scheme—helping both employers and freelancers understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to workplace adjustments, as well as information about how people can apply for the government grant.

The Access to Work scheme, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions, offers financial support to remove barriers to paid employment. Yet, many in the industry—both employers and freelancers—are unsure of how to access it or worry about the implications of doing so.

The three new video guides are tailored to:

Employers
Employees
Freelancers/self-employed workers

They cover eligibility, what support you can apply for, the application process, and managing an AtW grant. Each video includes examples of what you can claim for using Access to Work.

Access the Guide and watch the videos.

Expanding the Work: Creating Future Partnerships

TAP was created in 2022, following on from the Underlying Health Conditions report published in December 2021, following Jack Thorne’s McTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh International Television Festival. From launch, CDN has partnered with the TV Access Project (TAP) to work towards an industry with full inclusion by 2030, sitting on multiple workstreams and providing data to inform the various initiatives that come from the project.

As part of the work, and in addition to the partnership, CDN has taken direct action to work with TAP and partners on several initiatives, including the 5As for Freelancers.

5As for Freelancers: Targeted 5As Training for the Production industry

Creative Diversity Network (CDN) and Access All Areas (AAA) designed and delivered 5As training for freelancers, commissioned by The TV Access Project (TAP) and in association with ScreenSkills.

This training takes the core elements of the 5As (Anticipate, Ask, Assess, Adjust, and Advocate) and expands these into different areas of the TV Industry, giving clear advice and case studies on how they can be used as the foundation for developing, delivering, and maintaining an accessible and inclusive working environment.

Six courses have been developed:

Learn more about the project or book onto the Courses on ScreenSkills for 2025/26.

Doubling Disability

What is the Doubling Disability Programme?

Where Are We Now

Exploring Our Doubling Disability Programme

Building Change Through Training

Access to Work in TV Guide

Expanding the Work: Creating Future Partnerships

5As for Freelancers: Targeted 5As Training for the Production industry

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