L-R: Michael Gove and Grant Logan
Unique, inclusive and accessible courses have helped more than 80 disabled people upskill or change careers – and even more will be able to this year.
Ability Today, a social enterprise which supports disabled people to unlock their potential, has launched courses to help develop journalism and SEO skills.
Soon the community enterprise company will launch further courses in bookkeeping, website design and customer service skills too – helping hundreds of disabled people build meaningful careers.
The courses use technology to break down the barriers to education.
Previous students on journalism courses – a Certificate in Foundation Journalism and a Diploma in Journalism run by the Academy for Disabled Journalists and exam body the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) – now work at ITV, the BBC and various other journalism companies.
ITV journalist Jamie Green said: “I couldn’t have done it without Ability Today! Having their support to do the NCTJ diploma in a way that was accessible for me has made moving into journalism so much easier.
“I’d advise anyone looking to follow a similar path to get in touch with Ability Today, you won’t regret it!”
Dr. Julie McElroy, is completing the Diploma this year and is now a BBC Journalism Apprentice.
She said: “The benefits of doing the Diploma in Journalism through Ability Today is that it offers flexibility, it’s online and you can do it anywhere you want, you don’t need to travel into college or any other learning centre.
“It’s delivered in the benefit of your home. I’ve achieved a lot in the last 30 weeks and I look forward to seeing where my journalism takes me.”
Emily Davison is a Trainee Journalist at Newsquest. She completed the social enterprises other course, a Certificate in Foundation Journalism. She said when I applied she ‘never imagined that a year later’ she would be starting a new job.
Helping people to get these jobs is something Ability Today founder Grant Logan once dreamed about.
Grant, himself a successful music manager until he was paralysed from the chest down 20 years ago after a motorbike accident, had a mission to connect disabled people with news and information that is not always accessible or available.
He ran websites for disability news and a Roving Reporters scheme before launching the Academy for Disabled Journalists.
He said: “It was simply time to start focussing on what we can do rather than what disabled people can’t do.
“It used to be a dream to think we would have students going on to work at ITV, the BBC and Newsquest.
“This is a unique and accessible initiative, empowering today’s students to become the journalists of tomorrow. I am over the moon that we now have student alumni and am eager to help as many disabled people as possible create a meaningful career.
“I am passionate about helping disabled people and enabling them to have the tools to live a more fulfilling life and thrive from the new hybrid work opportunity.
“Many disabled people want to work but can’t due to barriers such as transport, accessibility, support and reasonable adjustments not being made. Working empowers a disabled person, raising self-belief, confidence, motivation and the ability to be part of the workforce.
“We are working to level the playing field and create new pathways for disabled people.”
Since launching Ability Today in 2014 Grant, Ability Today, The Academy For Disabled Journalists and the NCTJ have seen more than 80 people study on the courses across the UK and from Kenya and Philippines.
The Certificate in Foundation Journalism launched in 2020 and the Diploma in Journalism the following year.
In January 2023 the Academy for Disabled SEO Specialists was launched, creating an online Search Engine Optimisation training course, a fast-growing sector which is ideal for a disabled person to work from home.
Ability Today is creating the Academy for Disabled Bookkeepers with Kaplan Financial Services and is in talks with CX Training and website development companies.
The next course to start is a Diploma in Journalism qualification, beginning in September.
To take part applicants simply need five GCSEs at level four or above, be 18 years old and have a disability.
They should submit a 300 word story via the Ability Today website by September 15. For those who are successful, an induction will take place on September 26 with online lessons taking place every Tuesday from October 3.
Students will study Essential Journalism, Essential Media Law, Ethics and regulation, PR and Comms, Video Journalism, Journalism for a Digital Audience and Public Affairs, as well as creating an ePortfolio of work.
They will have a choice to complete further modules in shorthand, practical magazine journalism and sports journalism.
Other former Academy of Disabled Journalists students include Lisa Kavaney and Ross Lannon.
Lisa said: “The Academy is groundbreaking for disabled people who want to become journalists, there is no other training out there remotely close in terms of quality of support and accessibility.”
Ross added: “Thanks to Ability Today, I was able to learn a new skill from the comfort of my own home, at my own pace.
“I am so proud to have achieved this qualification which fits in perfectly with my blog work and radio presenting.”
To find out more about the Academy For Disabled Journalists, see former students and what to expect, see this video or visit the Ability Today website.
