Comedian Chris McCausland, recently heralded as the first blind winner of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, is set to deliver Channel 4's 2024 Alternative Christmas Message on Christmas Day. This year, his heartfelt address will aim to raise awareness of the discrimination faced by disabled individuals and advocate for significant improvements to the government’s Access to Work scheme.
First airing in 1993, the Alternative Christmas Message serves as a counterpoint to the monarch’s annual televised address, often providing viewers with thought-provoking and socially relevant content. McCausland’s speech will air at 4:50 PM and is expected to be both humorous and poignant.
Throughout his address, McCausland will make it clear how proud he is to represent the disabled community, stating, "Disabled people are often some of the most resilient, creative, and determined people you will ever likely meet." He underlines this point as he reflects on his experiences and the barriers many disabled individuals continue to face when seeking employment.
With nearly 23% of the working-age population classified as disabled, the statistics highlight troubling trends: 50% of disabled people of working age are unemployed, which is double the national average. Alarmingly, this rate increases to 75% for those who are blind or partially sighted, making it three times higher than the general population rate. McCausland emphasizes the urgent need for change, pointing out, "Why is it... 75% of blind and partially sighted people of working age are without employment?" His commitment to advocating for inclusivity resonates deeply as he calls for fundamental reforms.
McCausland’s message employs humor as he relates his love for mince pies to equal treatment, declaring, "I will never discriminate against any sort of mince pie; all of them are equal to me." He cleverly links this metaphor to his broader call for equality and against discrimination, stating, "Discrimination is never a good thing... but usually, we can do much, much, much more!"
The comedian also raises the issue of the average waiting time for accessing the government’s Access to Work service, which currently stands at 43 days. McCausland insists this is unacceptable, advocating for the average wait time to be reduced to under four weeks to allow disabled individuals to quickly obtain the necessary support once they secure employment. He warns, "Delays to this service strip away our confidence, our dignity, and our purpose... and risk employers’ desire to recruit anyone else who may require adjustments."
His address will not shy away from addressing systemic discrimination, referencing the startling disparity between the employment rates of disabled and non-disabled individuals. For comparison, the disability employment rate was only 53% as of the second quarter of 2024, versus 81.6% for non-disabled counterparts. McCausland argues, "Is this discrimination? Well, I would argue it is, so let’s try and fix it eh?"
Calls for systemic change are echoed as McCausland urges the government to commit to enhanced funding and support for schemes aimed at integrating disabled individuals back to work—a sentiment many advocates share. He believes these improvements not only serve those with disabilities, but they also enable workplaces to tap the vast potential hidden within this untapped talent pool.
The Alternative Christmas Message has become known for its diverse presenters over the years, from actor Stephen Fry to political figures and even AI-generated characters. McCausland continues this tradition by addressing pertinent social issues with quick wit and insight, attracting viewers who may not typically engage with conversations surrounding disability rights.
Raising a toast during his speech, McCausland will conclude with festive cheer, encouraging audiences to treat everyone equally, "the way I do my minced pies." His message serves as both heartfelt and humorous, retaining the festive spirit of Christmas, even amid serious calls for action.
The impact of this message promises to extend beyond Christmas Day, as it highlights the pressing need for change within societal attitudes and policies concerning disability—a message everyone should heed.
