What is the BCIDN
The BCIDN was founded by broadcasters and brings together the UK's major broadcasters to explore and address disability as it relates to the media industry.
It began life as part of the Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) and all members of the BCIDN are members of this forum too.
The network aims to make it easier for members to recruit and retain disabled people and to promote and share best practice across the industry.
The BCIDN is also concerned with getting more accurate representation in the media of people with disabilities.
Who are the BCIDN's members?
The BCIDN's membership is steadily growing and already includes almost all the leading UK broadcasters.
Members include the BBC, Sky, Five, Channel 4, Creative People, Discovery Networks Europe, the UK Film Council, ITV (merged Carlton and Granada), PACT (Producers' Alliance for Cinema and Television), Skillset and Turner Broadcasting System.
Associates
The Network has a small group of associates - disabled people with considerable media experience, especially in broadcasting.
Their role is to help the Network (and the industry) through their knowledge and understanding of both disability and the industry. Associates have a range of experience of different types of jobs in the industry (and different impairments).
They are: Geoff Adams-Spink, journalist, presenter and producer; Mat Fraser, actor and presenter; Diane Freeman, production manager and trainer; Marilyn Gaunt, award-winning director/producer; Martin Lucas, director, producer and Exec producer; Liz Main, journalist and broadcaster; Simon Minty, writer, presenter and trainer; Elspeth Morrison, producer and trainer; Kevin Mulhern, TV Producer; Kim Tserkezie, actress and presenter; Peter White, BBC Disability Correspondent; Alex Woolfson, Communications Adviser & industry strategist. (Associates members may change from time to time)
Officers and members
Chair: David Kogan
Network Manager: Liza Fletcher