Mencap features in Katie Price documentary

Friday 01 July 2011

Sky programme explores discrimination against disabled people

In a Sky Living documentary screened last night (30 June), model Katie Price gave a frank account of raising a disabled child and explored the discrimination disabled people experience. 

Katie’s eight-year-old son, Harvey, is autistic and has septo-optic dysplasia. The programme, 'Standing up for Harvey', centred on offensive jokes that comedian Frankie Boyle made about Harvey on the Channel 4 sketch show 'Tramadol Nights' last year. Ofcom ruled that Channel 4 broke broadcasting rules by airing the jokes, but Katie Price is still seeking an apology from the comedian.

During the programme, Katie met with Sarah Bernard, head of communications at Mencap, to talk about the verbal abuse experienced by people with a learning disability. She also met some young people from Mencap’s Raising Your Game project (pictured).

“It is commendable that Katie Price has taken a stand against the negative stereotyping of disabled people and the daily discrimination that many face,” said Sarah Bernard.

“As an organisation we strive to change the negative attitudes towards people with a disability in our society. Ignorant views, like those displayed through Frankie Boyle's programme, help to fuel the verbal and physical abuse that people with a disability, and their families, are regularly subjected to. It is refreshing to see a programme being made that tries to combat these hurtful stereotypes."

Katie is supporting Mencap's campaign against hate crime, Stand by me. She said: “As a mother of a disabled child I know all too well how hurtful and distressing bullying, harassment and abuse can be. Verbal and physical abuse directed at someone because of their disability is a hate crime and must be treated as seriously as racial, religious and homophobic crime if it is to be stopped. Disability hate crime causes long lasting damage and stops people from living full and valued lives."

The documentary will be repeated on 4 July at 9pm. Find out more on the Sky Living website