The Independent Television Commission and the Broadcasters' Disability Network have published a set of guidelines for broadcasters concerning working with the disabled, enabling them to work on programmes other than those concerning disability issues.

"Adjusting the Picture", which has the support of the Disability Rights Commission, offers programme-makers advice on the practical aspects of employing a disabled person, as well as the benefits.

Forum Response: Independent Television Commission

Chief executive of the ITC, Patricia Hodgson, told ePolitix.com: "Broadcasters have a responsibility to reflect our society in all its diversity and while there are a few examples of excellence in this area, they are still the exception.

"Millions of viewers with disabilities are not being represented as members of this society, either in programmes or in advertising. In publishing this guide our intention is to help and encourage programme makers - and commissioning editors - to give this issue their attention".

Forum Response: Royal National Institute for the Blind

A spokesman for the Royal National Institute for the Blind told ePolitix.com: "These guidelines are incredibly timely and welcome. There are many misconceptions and inaccurate characterisations of blindness and visual impairment on TV, which have contributed to the stigmatisation of visual disability and to lower expectations of quality of life. Adjusting the Picture should help challenge this.

"RNIB also hopes that the initiative will lead to more employment opportunities for visually impaired people (three quarters of whom are unemployed) within the broadcasting industry. More positive action is needed on that score. But it is ironic that while government is supporting this initiative it is doing less than nothing to make TV programmes themselves more accessible to visually impaired people. They won't raise audio-description targets and won't provide the equipment needed to receive audio-described programmes on digital terrestrial TV."