Employable Me
BBC TWO, 9.00PM
This moving series, which follows jobseekers determined to show that their disabilities shouldn’t prevent them working, returns for a new four-part run. There’s a persuasive double purpose to the programme – to highlight the disabilities themselves and to explore how those living with them fight against prejudice every day.
The opening episode showcases a wonderfully inspirational duo. We meet 52-year-old Andy, who was once the gogetting manager of a successful motorcycle business. Despite being left partially paralysed and struggling with speech after a life-threatening stroke, Andy wants to break into public speaking and motivate others with his story. Alongside him is turtle-mad Tourette’s sufferer Ryan, whose severe tics can leave him physically debilitated, but who nevertheless dreams of working with animals.
The pair’s will to succeed is humbling as they tackle longed-for job opportunities and the significant hurdles this entails. Helping them on the way is psychologist Nancy Doyle, who runs a pioneering scheme aimed at getting our hopefuls to promote their talents and for recruiters to see their considerable worth. Toby Dantzic