Tom Jamison

Editor of Able Magazine

Tom was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis just before joining the commercial team at Able Magazine. A few self-authored articles later, he was taken on as a staff writer, rising in 2011 to become the editor.

Thanks to his professional reputation, and being a visible disability ambassador at events, the magazine’s team is often one of the first calls for media outlets looking for input or advice concerning disability issues. Tom has become a regular media commentator, doing interviews for BBC radio programmes such as You and Yours, local radio and television broadcasts, and independent and hospital radio programmes. He has contributed to the Scottish Sunday Express, the Metro website and Travel Weekly, and was the focus of a fundraising video for the Journalists’ Charity.

Able Magazine is also the only disability lifestyle publication in the UK with a dedicated education and employment section, essential reading for disabled people looking for learning and career opportunities.

Having trained as a schoolteacher, Tom has a passion for education, which is evident in the way he supports and coaches young contributors to the magazine. He believes firmly in inclusion and advocates for the disabled community to be recognised as a valuable market sector. His work with the German National Tourist Board in helping the organisation connect with the disabled travel market, lead to Able Magazine’s Goethe Media Award triumph in 2013.

Tom is widely known and trusted in disability circles, with friends involved in every aspect of the disability community. This means he’s in demand by the organisers of events like the National Diversity Awards, Creative Diversity Network Awards, Naidex Awards, Remap Awards and organisations such as Special Olympics GB.

He says: “It’s my privilege to continue to promote and celebrate the incredible achievements of disabled people; in fact: it’s my pleasure and my duty!”

ablemagazine.co.uk

Tanya Motie

Diversity Champion, Mentor and former BBC Exec Producer

“We need disabled people to be decision makers, influencers in our media. Only then will we see ourselves reflected and represented authentically.”

Tanya is a determined and passionate advocate for disabled people in the media. In her 25 years in the industry she has pushed relentlessly for increased visibility of talent both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. She is a firm believer in career mentoring as she feels there won’t be sustainable change until disabled people are in positions of power and influence.  

Tanya began her career with the BBC World Service before working for Radio 4 and BBC News. She then took a change of direction and moved to CBBC, producing flagship programmes such as Blue Peter and Xchange. She spent her last four years before retiring as the Channel Executive for BBC One and BBC Three.

Since then, Tanya has focused her energies on breaking down barriers. Her influence stretches far across the sector – not just at the BBC. She has been instrumental in encouraging greater diversity and inclusion in many areas of broadcasting, from drama to journalism – quietly guiding and advising policy makers at the highest levels to ensure disabled people are included, recognised and given a fair shot. Her work has changed the lives and fortunes of some household names.

Tanya remains generous in sharing her experience and connections. Known for her reliability and discretion, she actively mentors around 18 disabled, BAME or socially disadvantaged people in the industry. She sits on the BBC Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group which challenges and monitors the BBC’s work. Tanya is a Diversity Advisor for Gilbey Films, a disability-focused production company founded by her husband, the Paralympian Andy Gilbert. 

In 2017, Tanya joined JK Rowling’s charity Lumos as a Trustee and is now Deputy Chair. The charity works to end the global institutionalisation of children and support families instead.  Unfortunately, disabled children are over-represented in institutions – marginalised and left behind. 

wearelumos.org

www.gilbeyfilms.com

Natasha Lipman

Chronic illness blogger and BBC journalist

Through her work as a BBC journalist and her social media presence, Natasha highlights the realities of being a young adult living at the intersection of invisible and visible disability. 

Her writing offers support, education and encouragement to her 23.7k Instagram followers, mostly young women under 35, starting conversations about many topics, like the use of preventative mobility aids, unsolicited advice on social media, and the challenges people face when they ‘don’t look sick’ and live with fluctuating pain and energy levels. Her work has helped people with invisible illnesses gain the confidence to use a mobility aid for the first time and stand up for their access needs. 

Natasha says: “I create the content that would have helped me when I was first diagnosed. I read so much that made me believe that my life was over, that it overwhelmed me. I try to be a positive influence and share a realistic, honest portrayal of life with chronic illness.” 

Natasha is in the process of working with experts to create educational content for her blog, and also highlights the work of inclusive fashion brands. 

As the first person with a chronic illness to be part of the BBC Extend in News Programme for disabled journalists, she has helped ensure that it is accessible for future participants with similar health issues. She encourages talented people living with chronic illnesses to apply, while supporting them to make sure their needs are understood and catered for. In her role for BBC Stories, she specialises in writing about disability and women’s health, and consults with multiple teams for their chronic illness stories.

By being seen on Instagram and at the BBC, she has made herself visible to others facing similar challenges, even when her health can make it hard to leave her room.

natashalipman.com

Molly Watt

Accessibility consultant

Molly is an innovator and accessibility consultant, specialising in assistive technology for people with sensory impairments. Molly has Usher Syndrome, a rare form of deafblindness, and knows first-hand how transformative assistive technologies can be. She raises awareness of accessible design, accessibility standards and technology including computers and wearables. Molly explains: “My passion lies in inclusion and the many possibilities assistive tech can provide in breaking down barriers because nobody knows inclusion like those who’ve been excluded.”

Molly’s influence stretches across the UK and beyond. She has been invited to speak at technology events such as UX Copenhagen and QCon in San Francisco as well as at the Houses of Parliament, JustGiving, the Apple Campus, Harvard Medical School and even for video game developer, ustwo. Molly has given several BBC radio interviews and taken part in podcasts including Tech for Good Live and Happy Porch Radio.

Molly provides consultation services to organisations such as NHS Digital and numerous NHS CCGs, specialising in the fields of sensory impairments and helping to raise awareness of the condition. Her contributions to setting high standards for workplace and service-users’ accessibility are significant. On top of this, Molly has also set up her own accessibility and usability workshops to communicate the opportunities and support technology and digital tools can provide for other disabled people.

Over the years Molly has raised funds for charities including South East Berkshire Deaf Children’s Society, Sense, RP Fighting Blindness and Guidedogs for the Blind. Recently she set up her own charity, the Molly Watt Trust, which aims to support people living with Usher Syndrome by raising both awareness and funds for accessible equipment like ereaders, tactile watches and software. The Trust also plans to set up events to combat some of the isolation and faced by people with the syndrome.

molly-watt-trust.org

Mik Scarlet

Journalist and broadcaster

Mik Scarlet is journalist, musician and broadcaster with over 30 years’ experience. He was the first disabled actor in a UK soap on Brookside and has toured in a number of bands. When he broke into the broadcasting industry in the late 1980s, Mik was one of the first visibly disabled people on mainstream television. He was a lead reporter on the BBC’s flagship disability programme From the Edge for ten years, while the Emmy Award-winning BAFTA-nominated children’s show he presented, Beat That was shown around the world.

Mik has been voted one of the most trusted journalists working in the UK by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. He has been a reporter and presenter on numerous news programmes and panel shows and is a regular writer for The Huffington Post, The Independent, PosAbility magazine, Disability Now magazine, BBC Ouch and Unite magazine.

Mik has paved the way for new narratives around disability, and doesn’t shy away from difficult or taboo topics. In 2006 he was part of a BBC 2 documentary called Can Walk, Won’t Walk? which challenged the assumption that people who use wheelchairs can’t live happy lives. Mik is also an ‘agony uncle’ giving advice on relationships, sex and love for Enhance the UK’s Love Lounge. 

As an expert in accessibility and inclusion, Mik follows the social model of disability. His current campaigns focus on PIP and benefits, inclusive design and accessible transport. Mik’s disability training programme has been attended by key figures from Uber, Network Rail and London Underground. He is currently working on campaigns with Inclusion London, Enhance the UK, Alliance for Inclusive Education, Transport for All and Scope.

mikscarlet.com

mikscarletaccess.co.uk