“With the Paralympics, we experience a wild swing away from narratives that frame disabled people as a burden or workshy scroungers to ones of superheroes worthy of celebration. The achievements of Paralympians are incredible and deserve to be celebrated, especially against the backdrop of systemic ableism created by inaccessible transport, housing, education, employment and a lack of sporting opportunities,” NUJ president Natasha Hirst said in a statement on Friday.

Paralympics media coverage is usually rich in feel-good stories about overachievers, but the fact is that many obstacles still remain regarding disabled athletes, spectators or plain citizens when it comes to overcoming their daily challenges, whether physical or mental; and on both sides of the aisle: despite opening up access through remote accreditation during the pandemic, disabled journalists have experienced increased difficulties securing access to cover more recent global sporting events.

“With each Paralympics, we hope that the positive interest in disabled people will be sustained, but it quickly returns to discourse that undermines our rights and independence. Journalists can make a difference by scrutinising the impact of policies on disabled people and exposing the injustices we experience in our lives,” Hirst stressed.

As for Paris 2024 accessability, the NUJ Disabled Members’ Council keeps the pressure on, calling for lasting improvements to access for disabled people throughout the world. Despite all the best intentions by organisers of sporting events, the negative examples that keep popping up are glaring: the union pointed out that, only a few days ago, retired Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson was forced to crawl off a train because no assistance was available to support her to disembark.

The NUJ’s campaign for #InclusivePressAccess also urges journalists to avoid clichéd reporting that draws on a tragedy-to-triumph narrative and instead challenge the access barriers that obstruct disabled people from participating in sports.

Poor access to press areas at many sports venues prevents disabled journalists from interviewing athletes or attending press conferences. The Paralympics provides an opportunity to demonstrate that access for disabled people, athletes and audiences can and should be at the heart of planning these events.

Lack of accessible and affordable options for travel, accommodation and the costs involved with bringing support excludes disabled sports journalists. Given that disabled journalists are more likely to be freelance, these additional costs can make it impossible to work.

“It is clear that access can be provided for disabled sports journalists to do their job and there are no excuses for exclusion. Diverse representation is necessary across all areas of journalism. Improvements to access should join efforts to eliminate harassment and discrimination. Sports bodies should put pressure on venues to increase access to the built environment for journalists and advocate for remote accreditation options,” the NUJ Disabled Members’ Council stressed.

“Many disabled sports journalists are or have been accomplished athletes who know their sport extremely well. They have the expertise to report on disabled and non-disabled sports but experience unnecessary barriers to doing their job. Audiences and athletes are missing out on the excellent journalism that they deserve,” the statement concluded.