CYP Now - NCB Now: Comment - Positive images of Black disabled children arevital

Double discrimination is the term commonly used to describe those who face prejudice by being Black and disabled. But there is a hidden group that faces triple discrimination - Black and disabled children and young people. How many of us outside the disability field actually know a Black disabled child? As we celebrate Black History Month this issue should give us pause for thought.

Part of the problem is what we see in the world about us. It is hard tofind positive images of disabled children and young people in the media,and virtually impossible if they are Black. If we do not see them, normeet them in the community, it is all too easy to forget that thesechildren exist.

In my experience, the discrimination experienced by disabled peoplefrequently goes unrecognised until others come face to face with them:for instance, when a disabled pupil arrives at the school gates.

Only then are issues such as difference and access to servicesaddressed. Yet what we need is to be both far-sighted and proactive toensure that disabled children and young people feel welcome to join inwhatever they want, whatever their ethnic origin or culturalheritage.

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