RespectAbility, a non-profit organization championing inclusion for people with disabilities, is taking its flagship Entertainment Lab program to the next level. In a significant move for its sixth year, the program is expanding from a six-week intensive to a five-month format. This extended timeframe aims to empower disabled creatives with a deeper dive into industry knowledge, practical application opportunities, and a more sustainable learning experience.
Deepening the Learning Experience: More Time for Growth
Previously offered as a summer intensive, RespectAbility’s Entertainment Lab has consistently provided disabled professionals with valuable industry insights and networking opportunities. However, the new five-month format promises a more comprehensive experience. “The move is intended to give the fellows more time between sessions to put their learnings into practice,” the organization explains. This extended timeframe allows participants to not only absorb the information but also implement it in their projects before the following lab session.
Lauren Appelbaum, RespectAbility’s Senior Vice President of Entertainment and News Media, emphasizes the benefit of this expanded format, particularly for individuals with specific disabilities. “The cadence of the lab’s part-time structure helps make it more accessible to people with certain types of disabilities, such as traumatic brain injuries,” she explains. The extended format allows for a more manageable learning pace, catering to diverse needs and learning styles.
Addressing Industry Needs: Filling the Talent Pipeline with Qualified Disabled Creatives
The creation of the Entertainment Lab stemmed from a recurring challenge faced by the entertainment industry: the difficulty in finding and hiring talented disabled professionals. “We first created this lab as a solution to the response that we would often receive from studios, producers, and independent filmmakers who wanted to hire disabled writers, directors, and others but claimed they ‘couldn’t find’ or ‘didn’t know’ anyone,” Appelbaum shares in a statement.
The program’s success speaks volumes. With nearly 200 alumni to date, RespectAbility is actively bridging the gap between talented individuals and industry opportunities.
Responding to a Changing Landscape: Building on Feedback and Expanding Opportunities
RespectAbility’s commitment to continuous improvement is evident in its response to feedback and industry trends. “As an alumna of the lab’s 2020 cohort, I am excited about the changes for the 2024 cohorts, which is a response to the changing climate of the entertainment industry and feedback from our rapidly growing alumni community,” states Lesley Hennen, RespectAbility’s Senior Associate of Entertainment Pipeline Programming and the Lab’s day-to-day manager. This responsiveness ensures the program stays relevant and impactful in the evolving entertainment landscape.
The expanded timeframe also translates to larger cohorts. Hennen reveals, “This year we will have the opportunity to welcome more than 50 disabled creatives into our pipeline programming.” This significant increase provides a wider pool of talent for the industry while empowering an even greater number of aspiring disabled professionals.
Beyond the Lab: A Multi-Pronged Approach to Inclusion
The Entertainment Lab is just one facet of RespectAbility’s comprehensive approach to fostering inclusivity in entertainment. In addition to the expanded virtual lab, they are launching six new in-person mini-intensives this summer, focusing on specific areas within the industry. Details regarding these mini-intensives and participant announcements will be forthcoming.
RespectAbility’s dedication to this cause is further bolstered by its impressive list of supporters, including industry giants like Amazon MGM Studios, Coverfly, Final Draft, the Golden Globe Foundation, the Harnisch Foundation, Murray/Reese Foundation, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, the Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Discovery. This collaborative effort demonstrates the growing commitment to diversity and equity within the entertainment industry.
