UNMUTED: Report that reveals the experiences of deaf film and TV professionals is released (BSL)

A report which uncovers the experiences of deaf people working in TV and film has been released, showing that 98% of participants had experienced discrimination whilst working in the industry.

The report, called UNMUTED, was conducted by conducted by lead researcher Erika Jones – who is deaf and a British Sign Language user – alongside Ellie Tomsett, and is backed by the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity (LHC) at Birmingham City University.

The report reviews the employment opportunities and experiences of current deaf professionals working behind the camera in the UK film and TV industry and outlines the systematic challenges they face – stating that we need to “move from well-meaning words to tangible change.”

The report gathers research to highlight the experiences of deaf film and TV professionals, identify issues with current industry practice and offer recommendations to improve opportunities, building on initial research which was undertaken in 2020/21.

It reveals how the number of deaf professionals working off screen in the UK broadcasting industry has halved from 1.8% in 2016-17 to 0.8%-0.6% in 2020-21 (Creative Diversity Network, 2022: Disability Deep Dive) – an estimated loss of 275 deaf professionals. This is despite 12 million working-age adults in the UK, nearly 1 in 5, having some form of deafness (Royal National Institute for Deaf People, 2024).

Erika Jones – who has worked in the broadcasting industry for over ten years – stated that:

“The voices of deaf people are still being marginalised within the screen industry and, as a result, potential talent is being lost or unrecognised due to the barriers they face on a daily basis.”

Jones cited the fact that it had taken nearly 60 years for a second UK feature film to be directed by a deaf person – from 1967’s The Return of Dracula by Stephen Pink to Retreat by Ted Evans, due for release in 2025.

“This is not down to a lack of talent, passion or hard work. This report is shedding light on what changes need to be made in the industry to move towards an UNMUTED broadcasting industry, where all voices, regardless of whether they’re deaf, disabled or hearing, are heard and counted.”

One of the participants interviewed for the study – called Cleo to protect her identity – spoke about some of the barriers she has faced in the industry.

“I have to do my own work and, on top of that, I have to educate my own interpreters. It’s quite draining and exhausting. Training has been very hearing orientated.

It was a constant fight, to battle the barriers, simply just to get the access I needed. I have to work triple as hard and feel a huge responsibility as a deaf staff (member).”

Recommendations from the report include the development of a database of sign language interpreters for the media sector; an increase in apprenticeships for the deaf and hard of hearing; and reviews of pay disparity between deaf and hearing workers.

Another recommendation is to establish a dedicated BSL television channel, something that Cleo supports. Cleo stated such a channel could provide a stream of employment for deaf people and would lead to seeing ‘a more diverse group working in television and film.’ 

Professor Diane Kemp, Director of the LHC and Professor of Broadcast Journalism at Birmingham City University, added: 

“At the Sir Lenny Henry Centre, we want to achieve representation of all sections of society across contemporary UK media. We welcome this report and its recommendations as they offer specific, practical ways to combat issues highlighted by the authors and participants.

We will follow up on their implementation and offer any support we can to achieve better working conditions in the industry.”

The CEO of BSLBT, Camilla Arnold, responded to the release of the UNMUTED report across BSL Zone’s social media platforms, acknowledging the valuable insight the report offers;

“We – the new management at BSLBT – will be taking on board the feedback linked to BSLBT in the report, as we steer our organisation into our new era.”

The UNMUTED report has been published on the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity website here.