A short series which followed two people on their journey to scuba dive despite their disabilities was named Report of the Year at the Asian Media Awards.
‘Disabled scuba diving duo’ was aired on BBC North West and follows two people as they attempt to scuba dive.
Inspirational journalists and broadcasters were honoured at the Asian Media Awards at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate on Friday (October 25).
The awards celebrate achievements in a range of categories in TV, radio, stage, online and creative media.
The ceremony is supported by the University of Salford and took place at a packed venue at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate.
Mohammed Salim Patel, who is blind, pitched, produced, contributed to and edited this six-part-series about the plight of a disabled scuba-diving duo – himself and a paraplegic athlete, Shaun Gash.
The Report of the Year was presented on the night by Head of Emerging Content at the The Mirror and Kate Rosindale from Blog Preston.
Accepting the award Mohammed said: “I would to thank the Asian Media Award Delighted and humbled to be standing here in front of all of you here today.
“I would like to use this opportunity to urge for everyone in this room to push for more disabled people to be on screen, behind the mike and on the websites because we exist – we need to be listened to and our stories need to be told.”
He added: “My motto in life is that I may be blind but I have a vision. That vision has been shown today with this award.”
The series followed Shaun from Morecambe and Mohammed, on their journey to become disabled scuba-divers, after finding that no dive centre or instructors were willing to train them because of their disabilities.
By implementing accessible filming practises, appropriate language and terminology, and disability awareness, Mohammed was able to secure funding from several charities, helping him set up a scuba diving experience for other blind people – which became the final episode in the six-part series.
