Posted 19.01.2021

Silenced is a story of huge social change that many of us still don’t know about, told through the hidden lives of disabled people.

For more than a century, one group of people in Britain has been shut out of society, denied basic human rights and treated with fear and prejudice.  In this shocking, moving film, writer, actor and presenter Cerrie Burnell is going to uncover the hidden story of how disabled people fought back – and won their freedom.

Cerrie was born without the lower part of her right arm. As a presenter on CBeebies, Cerrie was astonished to learn that some viewers thought her appearance would scare watching children. Now, she wants to find out where these attitudes to disabled people come from and why they persist today.

Ultimately Cerrie discovers that although much has changed for disabled people in Britain today, the battle is not yet won.

The above is an extract from the BBC website giving details on the programme.

Read more about the programme to be broadcast on Tuesday 19 January 2021