Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
Chris McCausland recounts how losing his sight by early adulthood reshaped his path from software work to stand-up and television, and he argues that his career should be judged on craft and contribution, with representation in media framed as inclusion rather than exception.
His core point: success isn’t perfection; it’s the connection you build. Strictly Come Dancing taught him to prioritise joy and rapport over scores, challenging the instinct to hold back work until it feels flawless.
He traces milestones that reinforced this stance — a decade on CBeebies, a travel series, a Sky comedy short with Lee Mack, and a memoir shaped by the pressure and support he experienced during Strictly — describing how openness about nerves and fear made room for honesty.
McCausland calls out low expectations that follow People with Disabilities at work and on screen, pressing producers to integrate talent on mainstream shows, and urging audiences and industry alike to combat ableism rather than treat disability as a quota or spectacle.
Read the Full Article: Chris McCausland: ‘I don’t want to be in a show because I’m blind – my blindness is incidental’
By: Chris McCausland and Sarah Ewing
