The scheme is open to anyone with a disability and an interest or experience in journalism and will offer successful candidates a chance to learn new skills and be mentored by editors from BBC News Arabic.
BBC News Arabic has opened applications for the AimHigh disability scheme for 2020. AimHigh was first launched in the Arab speaking world in 2018, and in its first year has seen disabled journalists from across the region.
The scheme helped them develop their skills and work on high-profile investigations as well as telling the stories of disabled people in the Arab world.
Commenting on the scheme, Sam Farah, Head of BBC News Arabic, said: “I am so pleased to be opening applications for the BBC News Arabic AimHigh scheme for a second year. We want anyone with a disability, whether it’s visible or not, and an interest in journalism, to apply. I can’t wait to see what next year’s AimHigh cohort bring to our team.”
Rasha Kashan, BBC News Arabic’s Editor of Diversity and Special Projects, added: “I have been delighted to see what the journalists who come through AimHigh are able to achieve. Our aim with this scheme is to give a voice to disabled people who have important stories to tell. This year, we will be focussing on attracting talents in journalism from a diverse range of disabilities and regions.”
One of the applicants from last year, Mohammed al-Mujtabi Aamer, Sudan commented: “The AimHigh scheme was an exceptional experience for me. I met some colleagues who became true friends soon after, and this experience made me realise that my disability shouldn’t stand in the way of my ambitions as a journalist.”
The window for applications for the second year closes on January 5, 2020.
