World of networks... BBC

Toby Mildon is Project Manager for BBC Future Media and last year took over as Chair of the disabled employee network BBC Ability (formerly the Disabled Staff Forum)...

"I got involved with the network not long after I joined BBC since I wanted to organise a careers event for disabled people. Last year, the Chair at the current time, Geoff, had done it for quite a long time and wanted to stand down and so the network voted me in as his successor”.

Our official mission statement is to help remove the limitations that disabled staff may face in the course of their employment.

There's a core group, 18 of us, in the network and we meet once a month. To bring everyone together in the wider BBC community we use Yahoo groups and Facebook.  Our core group remains quite consistent but we've just taken on a guy from the BBC Extend scheme, an internship program for disabled people.

I think my leadership style is somewhere between laissez-faire and democratic so as to give people the freedom to express themselves and shape our agenda.  My main job is to make sure we have an agenda on the table, that meetings run on time and actions are followed up,  etc.  I also ensure we have an annual mission and action plan.  I'm also the main "go-to" person for BBC colleagues who have a query or need our support.  I build and maintain relationships with other parts of the BBC, for example, our Disability Champion, Diversity Centre, Access Unit and Extend scheme.

In terms of time, I have a very good boss who lets me do it alongside my day job as Project Manager.

The network acts upon any issues that disabled staff bring to us. For example, if someone has a particular access issue we can step in, support them, and push for people to start doing something.

We also follow ‘big ticket’ developments happening at the BBC.  For example, the relocation to BBC North MediaCity and the W1 Broadcasting House extension.  We engage with senior people in these initiatives to raise concerns and offer our support.  We will form a ‘working group’ if a particular issue needs more of our input.

Other things on the agenda are to start looking at the refreshed Equality Act and particularly in the area around disability by association.

As a network we have a very strong dialogue with the BBC about disabled people.  We have a very good relationship with the leadership in the BBC and regularly go and talk to the Diversity Board, which is headed by the Director General Mark Thompson. We tend to go once or twice a year and we get a really good reception.

We have recently written a paper to do with Hidden Disabilities and employment practices. The last time we met Mark Thompson and the Diversity Board the individual divisions agreed to look into our findings and recommendations and formalise an action plan.

BBC leadership hold their door open and take the time to listen to us - not because it is the right thing to do - but because they are genuinely interested in the things we have to say.

Businesses and public bodies should be encouraged to set up networks like the BBC's. You need a group of people who are positive in their approach and want to see change for the better.  Any employer should allow the network to create its own terms of reference, vision and mission.  Employers need to be supportive of the group as, in turn, the group will be supportive of the employer.  An employer needs to make time to meet with the forum regularly.

The key messages I would give to someone taking over as chair would be to build cohesion amongst the committee and ensure you have a mission and action plan in place. Also, communicate with your wider membership base. Offer a supportive approach to management: we are not lobbyists and don't ever want to get a reputation as complainers.

When I stand down, I would be happy knowing that the BBC is a better place for people to work if you have a disability.  I want the BBC to be a place that people actually want to come and work at and feel that it’s not out of reach for them.

As a network we also get involved with the BBC's content and output - how the BBC represents disability. The BBC did a study two years ago with Channel 4, into the portrayal of disability in the media. Last December we followed up on the papers findings with the Director General Mark Thompson in our annual gathering. We explored how far we've come since the report was published and debated where the BBC should go next. The conclusions were that the BBC has made good headway in certain areas.  For example, the character “Adam Best” in Eastenders was the first disabled actor to have a regular role in the soap.  BBC Three has run several factual and entertainment programmes, such as Dancing on Wheels, which have been well received.  BBC News also ran a week long disability theme called Access All Areas late 2010. However, the BBC has some way to go. Disability is still under-represented on TV and Radio.

Interview kindly conducted by Flying Horse Media.