The project aim
Doubling Disability is a project which aims to double the percentage of disabled people working in UK broadcasting. One way Creative Diversity Network, the team behind Doubling Disability, hopes to do this is through education.
The model is simple. CDN funds the trainers’ development and then subcontracts them to deliver disability awareness training to paying customers in the sector, including. All the training is taught via Zoom.
Phase 1: training trainers
During phase 1, I took 3 cohorts of trainers through a rigorous Train the Trainer programme. I partnered with Deborah Williams OBE, the CEO of CDN, to review the existing course and make it more relevant, engaging and accessible. Upon receiving everyone’s access requirements, I had to assess the course’s accessibility for each participant. Personally, I learnt a lot about the social model of disability, accessibility and working with multiple disabled participants, which inspired me to start my journey into postgraduate education.
Whilst teaching the course, I provided regular coaching and offered additional support to all participants. I marked assessments and provided detailed feedback to all candidates, coaching some participants through retakes.
Phase 2: consolidating skills
During phase 2 I supported trainers to deliver pre-existing content. I coached them on a 1:1 basis and observed them delivering with written feedback. I am a big fan of reflection and encouraged regular reflective practice
In partnership with the trainers themselves, I developed an ongoing programme of development, focusing on areas such as accessibility of sessions, how to learn a session plan you haven’t delivered, time management, classroom management.
During this time, I also advised CDN on the elements of creating a sustainable training business, and created best practice guides and processes
Phase 3: a commercial training business
Now the project is in phase 3: some trainers have been commissioned to create new courses for paying customers. I am supporting these trainers through the course development phase, including persona creation, learning design, creating professional materials and how to write a session plan for
As there are some issues with quality, I have devised a quality assurance process and provide further support to those who need it to ensure professional quality.
As with the other phases, I take a coaching approach when supporting trainers, so that they gain the skills to do it themselves. One day, I hope that they won’t need me anymore.