Ricky Gervais has “improved the lives of disabled people”…

26th September 2011

Writing in the Guardian last week, Nicky Clark, a mother who has two disabled daughters, thanked Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant for the way they have highlighted discrimination and ignorance in their work.

The often controversial comedian does not seem like the most obvious person to praise in this instance, but in her article, Clark explains how Gervais and Merchant have regularly produced projects which “tackle our culture of discrimination and ignorance about difference”, and should receive more credit for their work in highlighting these issues. The video below is a short clip from a Gervais sketch about Disability Employment…

The comedy style of Gervais, which can often be cringe-inducing in its awkwardness, does not shy away from difficult issues including disability, gender and race.  Nicky Clark explains that for her, the most significant aspect of award-winning comedy “The Office” was in its casting.  For the role of Brenda, a disabled employee who used a wheelchair, the directors cast disabled actress Julie Fernandez.  She argues that this is a very important factor, and makes a refreshing change from able-bodied actors ‘mimicking’ disabled people.

At Liquid Personnel we are Positive About Disabled People, and make commitments regarding recruitment and disability awareness..

Click here to read more about the “Positive About Disabled People” commitments.

Click here to read the original article by Nicky Clark.