Thomas the Tank Engine will get its first autistic character in the latest move to diversify on-screen representation in the hit TV series.Bruno the Brake Car, voiced by nine-year-old autistic actor Elliott Garcia from Reading in the UK, will start appearing in episodes of the latest Thomas & Friends series from later this month.https://www.theguardian.com/global/2022/sep/07/thomas-the-tank-engine-to-introduce-first-autistic-character

New podcast Doctor Who: Redacted weaves a transgender-led, regional storyline around the Tardis. Its team explains how this zingy, sparky show put ‘three queer women front and centre’The 10-part BBC Sounds audio drama follows three best mates who make “the Blue Box Files”, a paranormal conspiracy podcast about a certain police box popping up throughout history.https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/29/doctor-who-redacted-transgender-podcast

The DEI is a nationally recognized benchmarking tool that evaluates corporate policies and practices focused to disability inclusion and workplace equality.TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, has been recognized with the top score of 100 percent in the 2022 Disability Equality Index (DEI) for the eighth consecutive year.https://www.southjerseyobserver.com/2022/07/24/td-bank-named-best-place-to-work-for-disability-inclusion-for-8th-consecutive-year/

I was lucky enough to work with a charity art organisation called Artangel. Myself and four other people with experience of psychosis worked with Marcus Coates and Artangel to create a series of short films to show what it's like to have psychosis.You can visit the exhibit at Churchill Gardens Estate, London, between 04th September 2022 - 30th October 2022.The exhibit will all be online for World Mental Health Day 2022 for those who can't can't attend in person.For more information about the short films, click the link belowhttps://www.artangel.org.uk/project/the-directors/

Now Eastenders star Rose Ayling-Ellis is the latest celebrity to team up with the brand, launching the first Barbie who has behind-the-ear hearing aids.Ayling-Ellis, 27, the first deaf contestant to compete in and win Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 said of the launch: “It’s so important for children to be able to see themselves represented in the toys they play with.”https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/barbie-deaf-doll-rose-ayling-ellis_uk_62fcca22e4b0f48a0202d809

Spain’s equality ministry has launched a creative summer campaign encouraging women of all shapes and sizes to hit the beach, with the slogan: “Summer is ours too.”The colourful campaign’s promotional image features five women of different body types, ages and ethnicities enjoying a day in the sun. “Summer is ours too,” it says. “Enjoy it how, where and with whomever you want.” The campaign also features a woman who has had a mastectomy topless.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/28/all-bodies-are-beach-bodies-spains-equality-ministry-launches-summer-campaign