Nichola Garde

She/Her

BBC Content Disability Lead & BBC Commissioner Specialist Factual

BBC

Award category:

Performing Arts, Television, Radio

Nichola is the Disability Lead in Content at the BBC. Nichola has been leading in on-screen and off- screen representation across a range of Factual, Comedy, Drama, Entertainment and Children’s shows. Working closely with producers and commissioners to support the editorial and authentic portrayal. Leading on BBC Elevate which supports mid-level deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent in off-screen roles in productions – ensuring accessibility is front of mind on productions and nurturing strong relationships with on screen talent across the content of the BBC. Nichola is responsible for the BBC’s commitment to the TV Access Project (TAP) which is working towards re-shaping the TV industry for disabled people across the UK. This year Nichola has taken on an additional role of commissioning in the BBC’s Specialist Factual team. Creativity, kindness and compassion is important to the way I work and I feel this is a strong tool which brings people together to make a change.

It’s important we continue to ensure we invite the voices of people who are not in the room. Working together as allies to support an industry that offers opportunities to all and removing the barriers that can prevent us from feeling we belong.

Q&A

Nichola Garde

As a role model, what advice would you give a disabled person at the start of their career?

Find your allies and work together to create inclusive and equitable environments and make space for other people to join. It’s not you that needs to change. Find your allies and work together to create inclusive and equitable environments where you feel that you belong and make space for other people to join.

How has your work impacted the disabled community or raised awareness about disability issues?

We have seen an increase in on screen positive representation both in landmark series that challenges the perception of disability and incidental potrayal across our content. In the last 3 years we have seen a significant increase in our off screen deaf, disabled and neurodivergent representation including flagship shows such as; Survivor, Rue Pauls Drag Race, Pointless, Planets II, Race Across The World and Eastenders. We have implemented a new approach to access funding which aligns with the TV Access Project and removes the barrier of access funding across our commissioning process. We have introduced Access Coordinators across our content to support inclusion within our production teams. We work collaboratively with key external partners, leading inclusion training for commissioners, independent production companies and cast members. I currently sit on the Edinburgh TV Festival Advisory Committee, The BAFTA disability advisory group and most recently the NFTS Anti-Discrimination Group.

What are your future goals or aspirations in your field or in disability advocacy?

Although we are making progress, it’s important we continue to work towards a more inclusive creative industry. Advocacy can be as simple as talking to colleagues and promoting inclusion and cultural change within your immediate team or working together pan industry to change spaces and attitudes in order to provide a more inclusive and equitable environment for everyone. I would like to continue to work together to create solutions, remove barriers and support others to feel they belong in this space whilst creating content that reflects our audience and storytelling that brings people together.

What do you do to switch off and have fun?

Spending time with my children, recharging with friends, laughing a lot at our misadventures and remembering what’s important.

What or who brings you joy?

My family and friends bring me joy and sleep as I don’t get enough!

Do you prefer dogs or cats?

Dogs

What is the one thing you would change if you could?

That we all ask more questions to ourselves and each other and avoid assumptions.

What barriers do you think still need to be addressed to improve the lives of disabled people?

Access barriers and attitudes. Providing inclusive spaces for all including considering intersection.

Useful links

Nichola Garde

Areas of expertise

Disability Advocacy, Equality, Television, radio, podcast

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