Funding Shortfall Threatens Academy for Disabled Journalists

An academy dedicated to offering courses for aspiring disabled journalists faces an uncertain future following the depletion of its program’s funding. The Academy for Disabled Journalists (ADJ), located in Chobham, Surrey, is actively seeking donations and has been compelled to defer its online courses scheduled from spring 2025. These courses, operational for five years, provide discounted fees for disabled students both within the UK and internationally, alongside accessible resources like press readers and braille materials. Grant Logan, the founder, stated that the representation of disabled individuals in journalism would diminish should the academy fail to secure financial backing. He asserted, “We are the only organisation specifically to support disabled people into journalism.” Mr. Logan further elaborated, “We are changing people’s lives – we’ve taken students who didn’t even think they could be journalists, have given them the opportunity and are now working full time in journalism.” He added, “There’s so many opportunities, and so many jobs for disabled people within the media landscape.” Since its inception in 2020, the academy has educated over 100 students. While it previously benefited from four years of National Lottery funding, it is now required to identify alternative financial support channels. The academy initiated a campaign aiming to collect £20,000, concurrently expressing its hope for assistance from media organizations. Mr Logan established the not-for-profit skills academy Ability Today, previously known as Disability Today, in 2017, and subsequently formed a roving reporters team in 2018. In 2020, the organization collaborated with the journalist training body NCTJ to provide accredited diplomas. For further updates, BBC Surrey can be followed on Facebook and X. Story proposals may be submitted to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or by WhatsApp to 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Details concerning our approach to external linking are available.