“The decision about whether to disclose disability on job applications divides the disabled community. Many worry that being open will lead directly to rejections from employers. Despite the Equality Act 2010, which makes disability discrimination illegal, when it comes to job applications and CVs, disabled people rarely have proof of their mistreatment.”
In print in the Financial Times.
“How to pitch a story to newspapers and magazines Written by Isabelle Jani-Friend.
Journalism is by itself a demanding and highly-competitive profession, but freelancing as a journalist takes a particular set of skills. Not only do you need to come up with amazing ideas, find sources, conduct interviews and write clean copy…but you also need to be able to construct engaging, well-written and insightful pitches before you can develop your stories into fully formed, published articles.”
“The Deadline Effect: How to Work Like It’s the Last Minute — Before the Last Minute’, by Christopher Cox As a magazine editor, Christopher Cox knows the dread of a looming deadline all too well, but what if self-imposed deadlines could give us more control and make us more successful?”
“But at the start of 2021, a BBC investigation found that people with invisible disabilities face a “shocking disparity” when applying for a blue badge parking permit. Out of 109 councils which responded to the BBC’s enquiries, eight out of 10 had higher approval rates for people with physical impairments.”
The Telegraph…article in print.
“Throughout lockdown, discussions about mental health have become a central feature on TikTok, with many, including therapists, gravitating to the platform to find and offer support and solidarity with those trying to cope with symptoms made worse by isolation. This is particularly true for those of us living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). At the time of writing, TikTok’s #OCD hashtag stands at around 650 million views.”“I feel this constant pressure to achieve and experience more things in the time I have – that I need to fit 80 years’ worth of life into 40 years of my own. A year for someone like me is a lot more valuable than it may be for others. I have a year less to experience all I can while my health permits me to. I don’t have all the time in the world, and as I get older I will get sicker. For me, every second really does count.”“Passed in 1995, the Disability Discrimination Act was such a huge moment towards improving disability rights, but there is still a long way to go to ensure equality for disabled people. Twenty-five years on from the landmark legislation, I spoke to people about the disability discrimination they have faced in the workplace.”
“Since shielding paused in August, the vulnerable have had little recognition. Many of us have been left to assess the risk of Covid-19 ourselves. As we head into another lockdown, we need greater support and guidance. Deciding to shield and protect my life during this pandemic has not been a choice, it has been a necessity.”“The Bristol-based firm uses ground-breaking new technology to create wheelchairs for children aged between two and 10. It uses a special lightweight design which makes them easily transportable in a normal family car. The chair is designed to adapt and adjust as the child grows, with no extra equipment needed.”The World Transformed 2020: Healthcare in crisis: Building international solidarity. To hear me speak go to 25 mins and then 1 hour 34 mins.“I always thought I would have to suffer from disease for the rest of my life, feeling it take over and destroy my body. But the arrival of a new, successful treatment may give me the chance to live the life I could never have previously even dreamed about.”“IZZIE THE BIG CONVERSATION ON OUR NHS.”“I am part of the extremely vulnerable group, going to the shops and leaving the house could kill me. For the elderly, people with pre-existing health conditions, NHS healthcare workers, key workers, the homeless, prisoners, those living with domestic abusers and other minority groups, COVID19 poses a significantly higher risk.”“COVID19 is increasing restrictions and placing greater fears into our lives. With public gatherings banned, restaurants and pubs staying closed and an increase in working from home and job losses, the only form of freedom for many is the permitted daily exercise.”“Every day people enter the lottery for fun, a couple of pounds in the hope of winning vast quantities of money. Now, imagine entering a lottery which could be the difference between life and death. The hope, a life-saving drug.”“Scottish tech company Neatebox’s ‘Welcome’ app allows users to notify staff ahead of their arrival and request support if needed. The app, founded by ex-guide dog instructor Gavin Neate, has already been adopted by high-profile stores and venues across Britain.”
“Having to create my own memories of someone I never met has been heart-breaking and has sometimes felt impossible but having the clothes that made her who she was, makes me feel safe in my knowledge of her.”“For the many thousands of extremely vulnerable people who have been essentially locked in their homes all year, it has been a very isolating and lonely time indeed. All my regular hospital care has been moved to online video appointments and phone calls, which means I’ve been managing my illness on my own at home, constantly living in fear of falling unwell.”“Whilst this news left me hopeful for the future, there is still a long way to go. Last week it was also announced that 9 out of 10 people in poor countries could miss out on a Covid-19 vaccine, whilst rich countries have enough supply to vaccinate their populations almost three times over.”“We need a People’s Vaccine, and for that we must make sure that the agreements the government is making with drug companies are open and transparent, that the money that’s going into vaccine development is being tied to conditions that will ensure affordability and access, and that instead of hoarding vaccines, we’re participating in international efforts to ensure everyone who needs this vaccine can get it. ““Pharmaceutical corporations must open their books, make all funding and licensing agreements public, and substantiate any no-profit claims with data. We know that pharma does not tend to share this information willingly, so it is time for governments to take charge, demand transparency, and put their commitments to equitable access of covid-19 vaccines into action.”“I was just six when I was diagnosed with CF and have learned to live with it. But, using disabled services and facing people who didn’t, and still fail to, understand the concept of invisible disabilities has left me feeling ashamed, embarrassed and anxious.”“We can’t beat this pandemic without international solidarity – the virus doesn’t respect borders, so we must come together.”“Getting a job is hard at the best of times, but having a disability makes it harder. According to disability charity, Scope, disabled people are four times as likely to be unemployed compared to others in the UK, whilst applying for 60% more jobs, then non-disabled counter parts.”“The NHS has been on its knees these past few months fighting its greatest ever crisis, COVID19. For weeks we came together to #ClapfortheNHS, well now isn’t it time we stop putting a strain on our precious healthcare system and start demanding a New Deal that is better for us all?”“May marks Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month; a time to reflect on the challenges my illness presents in my life- constant pain, endless therapy and medication. I usually have regular hospital appointments and admissions however COVID-19 has placed these on hold.”“For the first time in my life I now feel able to consider a more fulfilled and “normal” life. Picking up a cold and ending up in hospital may no longer be my reality and the thought of reaching middle-age seems more realistic. ““As someone with cystic fibrosis who carries the specific mutation that Orkambi treats, this drug would change my life. So it is distressing to see this large, profitable pharmaceutical company holding so much power to drive up the price of the drug, thus forcing the NHS to put a monetary value on my life.”“I was recently on a packed Central line train into London. Luckily, I managed to take the last priority disabled seat. My osteoporosis and the fatigue I experience meant it would be hard for me to stand for the 40-minute journey to Oxford Circus. I felt a sense of relief that I had managed to find a space. That was until I was approached by a middle-aged woman, who quite confidently asked me to move in order to give up my seat for an elderly passenger.”
SENIOR WRITER FOR TBD
Write across health, culture, lifestyle, well-being and entertainment.
Spoke at the Global Rally for a People’s Vaccine alongside – Bernie Saunders, Baba Aye, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Caroline Lucas and Winnie Byanyima (Go to 34.14 to hear me speak)
PODCASTS
PODCAST HOST FOR THE DISABILITY COLLAB The need for a diverse media has never been greater than it is right now. Introducing the Disability Collab initiative and podcast for disabled freelancers everywhere. From pitching to commissioning, coping with WFH and dealing with discrimination, we have you covered.Representation Matters…Isabelle Jani-Friend Isabelle Jani-Friend’s journey so far as a freelance journalist. The struggles and realities of living and job-hunting with an invisible disability. The misrepresentation of disabled people: dispelling ‘disability’ as a dirty word. What organisations and society need to do to be more accessible and inclusive to those with invisible disabilities and other protected characteristics.NEW VOICES: IZZIE AJNI-FRIEND Welcome back to New Voices, where we introduce you to to new, talented journalists! This week, we spoke to the wonderful Izzie Jani-Friend all about her career so far, her experience writing for and working at The Guardian, and her wonderful writings on living life with an invisible disability. Follow Izzie on Twitter: @ijanifriend Follow Views Our Own on Twitter and Instagram: @ViewsOurOwn A JOLLY CAREFUL CHRISTMAS Ollie and Eve are joined by freelance journalists Izzie Jani-Friend, Charlotte Colombo and Jonny Moynihan to discuss the UK’s post-lockdown rules and arrangements for a Coronavirus Christmas. The panel discuss the ethics of the Christmas rule-relaxation, the festive economic trade and vaccine rollout. Enjoy!Healthcare in crisis: Building international solidarity #TWT20 By The World Transformed Decades of cuts and privatization in health care left us vulnerable to coronavirus. How can we ensure that health care workers have the protections they need and ensure that testing, treatments, and a future vaccine are available to all? Join us to hear how nurses and health justice activists around the world are fighting back to protect themselves, their patients, and their communities and discuss what it could mean to build meaningful international solidarity in response to this global pandemic. With Vijay Prashad, Tobita Chow, Hermes Torres Font, Rachel Ambrose, Izzie Jani-Friend & Deborah Burger.
IsabelleDipti 