Inclusive newsroom and journalist with disability

What has been done

Nakypilo Radio has introduced the practice of inclusive editorial work, which is based on equality, trust in professionalism, and the full engagement of journalists with disabilities in content creation. One such example is the work of Volodymyr Noskov, a journalist and an author of radio programs, who has been working in Ukrainian media for over ten years despite complete loss of vision. For the past three years, he has been one of the voices of Nakypilo radio, where he creates his own programs, hosts live broadcasts, and conducts interviews, often focusing on human stories and accessibility issues.

The newsroom did not just adapt working conditions but also provided the journalist with broad discretion, granting him the ability to come up with the topics, tone of the conversation, and editorial content. Volodymyr Noskov’s own experience allows him to talk about barriers not as an outside observer, but from the inside — without stereotypes and regret, but with dignity and respect. The newsroom emphasizes that he insists on equal professional treatment and demands, not expecting any preferential treatment but simultaneously reminding the team of the importance of empathy and respect.

The presence of a blind journalist reinforced tolerance and empathy within the entire team. His colleagues note his professional strength, ability to work with the most complex topics, and charisma, which contributes to team spirit in the newsroom. In addition, Volodymyr Noskov tests Nakypilo’s materials and services for accessibility, helping the media outlet improve its practices.

A special example of this work was a public case when the journalist pointed out a low-quality service for people with low vision. This situation resulted in a broader public discussion on systemic accessibility issues. The media viewed it not as a personal conflict but rather as an important signal about real difficulties faced by people with disabilities.

Nakypilo’s approach in this practice is based on several key principles: a journalist with a disability is viewed as a full team member, not a “special case”; the author’s personal experience strengthens the materials instead of limiting the content; stories about barriers serve to form empathy and understanding among the audience rather than pity. This case demonstrates that inclusion in the media is not only a matter of access; it is primarily about trust in professionalism and creating equal conditions for a journalist to influence content and public conversation.