ITV launches a new on-air marketing campaign to highlight invisible disabilities, as part of its commitment to help create culture change around disability perception and representation.
One in five of us are disabled, and this new campaign featuring famous faces powerfully highlights that just because you cannot see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Developed in partnership with Scope, and devised by ITV Creative, the ad features Chase star Paul Sinha, author and TV personality Katie Piper, actress and Loose Woman Kelle Bryan and Real Housewives of Cheshire star Tanya Bardsley talk about themselves to camera – their hidden talents and achievements, their nicknames, their hobbies, the alternative careers they’d have loved to pursue.
They finish by revealing what many also don’t know about them. That they each have invisible disabilities, and that these are also part of what makes them who they are.
“Ever since my diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease I have noticed how much of the public are only dimly aware of the symptoms, and how much many press outlets deliberately misrepresent. Working with ITV’s Invisible Disabilities is my way of helping redress this.” said The Chase star Paul Sinha.
“I took part in the campaign because it’s one thing to be given care or humility from society because they can see you struggling but a whole other ball game when you are misjudged or belittled because you are not seen or understood.” said Actress and Loose Woman Kelle Bryan.
“This campaign is incredibly personal to me and I could not support it more. For so many people across the country, their invisible disability is something they struggle in silence with every day. I hope that, from now, this is no longer the norm.” Housewives of Cheshire star Tanya Bardsley, who also stars in the campaign added,
‘ITV’s Invisible Disabilities Campaign is hugely important to me personally and professionally. It is something I have championed for many years across all of my projects. Being more aware, and embracing inclusion and difference internally and externally is crucial not only in broadcast, but in today’s society. I am a proud ambassador for this campaign, and hope it raises much needed awareness of invisible disabilities in society.’ said Author and TV Personality Katie Piper.
The ad ends by encouraging audiences to find out more at itv.com/disability. Aimed at promoting understanding around invisible disabilities, the website will house further information about invisible impairments and conditions and tips from disabled people on what non-disabled people can do to be a good ally, alongside testimonials from members of ITV’s internal disability network, ITV Able on their experiences. The site will also include information about ITV’s Diversity and Inclusion plan.
