Andy Stevenson
Sport Broadcaster
Sport
I am delighted to make the shortlist for a second time and would like to thank the judges, who have an unenviable task because there is so much disabled talent out there!
I have worked in sports broadcasting for several years, often without people even realising I was disabled. Until this year I’ve been happy for most of my work to be on the radio, but with the support of my representatives, Decibel Sports Management, I’m now appearing more often on camera and I’m embracing the difference I can make as an on-screen personality with a very visible disability. I like to say I was born ‘without a full complement of limbs’. I have no hands, very short arms, and wear a prosthetic leg.
I am a leading figure within Paralympic sports broadcasting, having presented BBC Radio coverage of the Tokyo Paralympics and hosting the International Paralympic Committee’s award-winning podcast. I have presented disabled golf tournaments on both sides of the Atlantic, working on the inaugural G4D Open for the R&A and the US Adaptive Open for NBC in the USA.
But while I want to be an authority on disability sport, it’s crucial to me that I also work across non-disabled sport to underline that I am being hired for my ability and experience and not just because of my disability. I’m thrilled to be part of BBC Sports team at the Open Championship as well as presenting/commentating on tennis at Wimbledon. I’m also a regular reporter on BBC Final Score and commentate on Snooker for Eurosport.
In my previous life behind the microphone, I also worked at Channel 4 and Whisper, producing the coverage of Rio 2016 and PyeongChang 2018. In March 2020, I spoke at the United Nations Human Rights Council about disability representation in the media industry.
This year I have become part of The Ability Group in Sport, a network for disabled people in the sports media industry. I am an ambassador for Purple Tuesday and worked for Parallel on their festival of inclusion. I was formerly a trustee for a charity called Dressability who make and adapt clothes for disabled people.
I live near Windsor with my wife Julia. I’m a keen golfer and quizzer!
“The Disability Power List performs an important function in recognising the brilliant work so many disabled people are doing in all sorts of areas.
But for every person recognised on the list, I think it’s vital to remember that there will be many more making a real difference, but perhaps wanting to avoid the limelight or going unrecognised (so far!)”
Disability Power 100 2023 profile information has been self-submitted by the profile subject. Shaw Trust understands and respects that disability and impairment descriptors and language use varies from person to person. Shaw Trust assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or discrepancies in the content of this, or any other, profile page.
Image credits: Helen Murray Photography
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