Recent research from not-for-profit Dimensions found that only 25% of the public think society is inclusive of people with learning disabilities or autism. There are many reasons for negative attitudes prevailing against those with learning disabilities or autism. Positive representation in the media will not solve this issue overnight, but it will certainly help.

If the media includes us and represents us fairly, then maybe the world will too. I think TV and the media can lead the way to us all being equal.

Advertising plays a significant role and should be more inclusive. It should show us doing ordinary everyday things. I love it when I see a fashion model with Down Syndrome, or a wheelchair user advertising clothes or school uniform. There’s nothing like seeing someone who looks like you on the screen to make you feel happy and included. The only thing that really disables us is the world we live in.

I think the more disabled people we see in adverts, the more we feel included and accepted and the more the world includes and accepts us back.

There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK. We play an important part in communities – we live our lives, doing our thing – going to work, going to school or college, having fun, going out, going shopping or to cafes and being with friends. And yet the adverts we see on our screens or on our streets do not reflect this.

But I say – why the heck shouldn’t we be on TV?

I can speak from personal experience. I have been involved in TV projects since I was 12 years old. This line of work started for me when I was part of a documentary for the CBBC series “My Life”. The programme followed three young people with Down Syndrome as they followed their dreams. I was one of them and my dream was to swim for Great Britain. I narrated the documentary too and it was nominated for a Children’s BAFTA. I was the first person in the UK with Down Syndrome to narrate a documentary.

I was also the first actor in the UK with Down Syndrome to play a regular part in a TV series – I played Finn McLaine, a regular character in CBBC’s ‘The Dumping Ground’. This role lasted for nine years and one of my episodes won a Royal Television Society award. Finn was just like any other young person. He had the same adventures, troubles, laughs, fun and issues as everyone else. I was in nine series and only one episode had a storyline about Finn having Down Syndrome. I hope my character shaped how people felt about children with Down Syndrome. Characters like Finn should not be a rarity.

People with learning disabilities have unique and interesting points of view to share and by telling our stories, we can change perceptions and expectations. The world is made up of lots of different people, so let’s see them all on our TV screens.

I’m pretty cool about being different – I’ve been brought up to be proud of myself and I think everyone else should be proud of us too – we have so much to give! I really hope writers, commissioners and advertising bosses see the value and talent in disabled people. Although things are changing, I just wish it was happening a bit quicker. It’s not all doom and gloom though… I was so happy when they made the new Tardis wheelchair friendly- it’s wonderful!

As the media industry works towards increasing the representation of people with learning disabilities and autism on our screens, it must also ensure they are given the proper support. The media industry as it exists is not necessarily built to accommodate people with learning disabilities and autism, as we have not historically been a part of this world.

I am upfront about the support I need (for example my mum is helping me to put this article together and making sure I get the grammar right!). I think it’s fine to ask for things to be explained in a simpler way – when I was younger, I had a chaperone and now I just need support from a distance, someone to check on me and make sure I am in the right place at the right time. I now work for Channel 4 and they are brilliant because they give me extra time and practice – some of the subjects I report on may need me to do some extra homework to get me up to speed. I recently went into the studio to practice on an autocue machine and they could change the pace of it to suit me. At Channel 4 News it really feels like I am part of their team and they value me. When I worked for CBBC it felt like being part of a big family with The Dumping Ground team– everyone was very supportive. I loved it so much.

In 2021, I was proud to be recognised on the Dimensions Learning Disability and Autism Leaders’ List for my work reporting on important issues around the world. It’s great to have an award that champions people with learning disabilities and autism for the brilliant things they’re doing for themselves and their communities. If you know someone inspiring that deserves recognition, consider nominating them for the 2024 awards here.

We can only build a more inclusive culture by seeing different people in our media, and on adverts doing amazing, or even ordinary things.