nujadm.org.uk/2009

By Kane Mumford

Here’s a question: if you suffer from a disability that has no physical symptoms, things such as depression or diabetes, say, would you make it known at an interview?

Or would you conceal it, knowing that despite all the politically correct posturing on equal opportunities, employers want a safe bet when they take on new staff?

Or what if you’re an experienced journalist with post-traumatic stress, do you reject assignments that you know are likely to exacerbate your condition, and risk falling out of favour with your employers?

National Union of Journalists Disabled Members Council

These are the decsions facing journalists who suffer from hidden disabilities, in secret and, until recently, with little support from anyone. The Disabled Members Council of the NUJ has been trying to bring hidden disabilities out into the open and with the passing of Motion 67 at today’s ADM the debate should go on to gather more attention.

Six years ago the council appointed a new head, Stephen Brookes, and with him came a new set of ideas on how to raise awareness of the their cause.

But, he says, before that things were even more unclear and debate was seen as an undesirable fringe topic. “It’s been acknowledged that the Disabled Council was essentially a joke in the NUJ, in six years we’ve done a hell of a lot to change that.”

Improvements over the past four decades

The debate, as complex and fraught as it is, is still much better than the situation 40 years ago when it was simply not talked about.

John Coghlan, joint chair of the council, still recalls the problems caused by ignorance of disabilities: “Lots of people would end up an alcoholic, or abusing drugs, wearing yourself out with it. Because you couldn’t talk about it these were the ways of getting on.

“That was the situation then, and it’s taken 40 years to get to a point that’s only slightly better. The key to raising awareness is legislation and the way to legislation is debate and awareness, and there is much more of that now.”

John said that despite the dilemma of disclosure there have been some good measures that have significantly raised awareness around the issue.

“We’ve been highlighting things like employment support, trying to create an environment where you can discuss issues with your employer, eventually being in a position where you can disclose the issue without fear.”

Moving on

Stephen Brookes is happy to leave his his position of head of the council with the passing of Motion 67: “It recogises the changes we’ve made, the changes in finance and the structure of the council – it’s now going to be more cost effective and will be centred around the NUJ DMC website which will be coming out shortly.

“The bulk of work is now done online and this works well for our members and as a comprehensive base of information. It’s great that the motion went through unopposed today and that awareness of the issue continues to grow.”