A new research that centres the experiences of Deaf film and TV professionals in the UK has found that deaf film and TV professionals are sometimes hired to simply tick the box on diversity quotas in organisations. This tokenism has led many deaf professionals to consider changing professions and exploring other sectors where their skills and contributions might be better appreciated. Illustrating tokenism in the wider industry, some of the participants in the research note that they continue to be given minor tasks at work that diminishes their range of experiences but are quick to be introduced during company tours as deaf employees in a way that gives organisations an appearance of equality and inclusiveness.
This is one of first research in disability studies to explore deaf film and TV professionals in the UK. The research titled “UNMUTED: Experiences of deaf film and TV professionals in the UK media industry,” was conducted by Erika Jones and Ellie Tomsett for the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity at Birmingham City University. Other key findings from the research show that discrimination against disabled people who work in media are often intersectionally experienced and does not stop at their disability. Sometimes, disabled people also experience sexism and homophobia at the same time as they are experiencing ableism. The findings also note the pay gap between deaf film and TV professionals and their hearing counterparts in the Media. Based on these important findings, the research made some recommendations to production organisations in the UK as well as Ofcom on ensuring that true inclusion is not elusive, and that deaf film and TV professionals begin to feel belonging rather than discrimination. Read the full report here.