A ground-breaking opportunity to empower handicapped people across Scotland is being paved by Grant Logan, the inspirational founder of the disability social company Ability Today.
Ability Today and the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) have teamed up to develop a transformative journalism program, giving persons with disabilities the opportunity to work as reporters and storytellers professionally.
The Academy for Disabled Journalists offers the NCTJ-accredited, highly coveted Diploma in Journalism in addition to the foundational Certificate in Foundation Journalism. There are just a few seats left, so disabled people in London and elsewhere should act quickly to plan their forays into the fascinating world of journalism and the media.
Ability We are currently looking for a fresh group of students to enroll in our two-year, lottery-funded program that leads to the NCTJ Diploma.
Disability representation in the U.K. television business, both on and off the screen, was covered in detail in a major report released in 2022. It will take almost two decades, according to the Creative Diversity Network (CDN) research, before disabled individuals are fairly represented in the business. Only 4.5% of handicapped individuals work behind the camera and 6.8% work in front of it in the TV industry, despite the fact that 17% of the workforce and 18% of the population in the UK are disabled. To reflect the broader population, the industry needs to hire 13,000 more disabled people.
Grant Logan considers the extraordinary journey that has already assisted more than 80 impaired students to study for the NCTJ’s level 3 Certificate in Foundation Journalism degree and Diploma level as the Academy for impaired Journalists enters its fourth year.
Jamie Green and Emily Davison, graduates of the academy, have gone on to land full-time journalism jobs at well-known media organizations like ITV and Newsquest, demonstrating the program’s success in developing talent and providing opportunities in the cutthroat industry of journalism. A number of students are working as freelance writers for magazines like Metro, Radio Times, Posability, and more. Two students have been offered journalism apprenticeships with the BBC.
Jamie Green, a 29-year-old from Didcot in Oxfordshire, is a prime example of how Ability Today’s help has impacted his life. Green claimed that he couldn’t have succeeded without Ability Today. “My transition into journalism was a seamless experience thanks to their approachable approach to the NCTJ diploma.”
James Nelson in Edinburgh, Joanne Halliday from Annan, Dr. Julie McElroy from Glasgow, Lisa Kavaney from Norfolk, Victoria Scholes from Sunbury on Thames, Ellie Forrester from Shropshire, Tom Jackson-Wood from Hertfordshire, and Kim To and Georgie Morell, both from London, are just a few of the Academy students who have gone on to enroll in the Diploma Course.
For the upcoming class of aspiring impaired journalists, applications are already being accepted. Disability-identified people from all origins and walks of life who are enthusiastic about media and storytelling are welcome to apply for this wonderful opportunity. The application period will expire on Friday, September 15th, giving interested applicants plenty of time to take advantage of this chance to reevaluate their professional path.
The Academy for Disabled Journalists was founded by Grant Logan after failing in his early attempts to recruit disabled volunteers for reporting. With over 80 students already registered in online classes that transcend geographic boundaries from Chobham to Kenya, this endeavor developed into a thriving institution. The academy’s goal is to develop these students into empowered professionals who can support themselves in addition to their studies.
The dedication of Ability Today to diversity knows no bounds. Their technologically advanced online learning programs dismantle the obstacles that have prevented disabled people from realizing their potential. Grant Logan, who has overcome challenges that has changed his life, established Ability Today in 2014 to help disadvantaged people reach their full potential.
The mission of Ability Today is attested to by the tremendous success stories of previous students. ITV journalist Jamie Green praises Ability Today’s programming for taking an approach that is approachable and made his transfer into journalism easy.
According to Grant Logan, “Our mission is to spotlight what people with disabilities can do, rather than what they can’t.” Ability Today is building pathways to meaningful careers, boosting self-belief, confidence, motivation, and integration into the workforce, with a focus on accessibility, support, and appropriate changes.
By September 15, potential candidates are encouraged to submit a 300-word story online at the Ability Today website. The induction for successful candidates will take place on September 26. From October 3, they will receive interesting online sessions every Tuesday. Students can choose to take additional modules in shorthand, practical magazine journalism, and sports journalism in addition to the required modules covering journalism, media law, ethics, video journalism, and other topics.
Visit the Ability Today website if you’re interested in learning more about the Academy for Disabled Journalists and are motivated by the experiences of prior students. Join our campaign and believe in the ability of journalism to redefine opportunities for people with disabilities. Ability Today and NCTJ are rewriting the story of inclusivity and success in the industry together.