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Past Events

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: Getting a Job in a Writers’ Room with Marc Muszynski and Diana Romero

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: A Focus on the Future

This event is part of a larger series of events. Learn more: https://www.respectability.org/ndeam-entertainment-summit

Securing a job as a TV writer can be an overwhelming and complicated process for anyone trying to break into the industry, and many disabled writers face additional barriers along the way. However, as the industry is gradually becoming more inclusive and accessible, more and more disabled writers are being hired in TV writers’ rooms and beyond. Two professional writers and RespectAbility Summer Lab alumni, Marc Muszynski (Dexter) and Diana Romero (4400) shared their experiences and insight on how to get a job in a writers’ room. [continue reading…]

New Survey: What Do Disabled U.S. Audiences Think Of Representation On Screen?

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Learn about new research from UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers. Explore the results of a new nationwide survey. What do disabled U.S. audiences think of representation on screen?

Speakers

  • Amanda Aguero, Production Assistant, 2nd Assistant Director, Script Supervisor, Stunt Woman and Actress; Alumna of 2021 RespectAbility Entertainment Lab
  • Maira Karan, Report Author and Developmental Psychology Ph.D. Candidate at UCLA
  • Tatiana Lee, RespectAbility’s Senior Associate for Entertainment Media and Actress/Model
  • Diane J. Wright, Screenwriter and a DEI-certified Creative Content Consultant; Alumna of 2021 RespectAbility Entertainment Lab
Headshots of four speakers for the event

Lessons Learned from Kennedy Krieger Institute: Neurodiversity, Collaboration and Transition Success for Youth with Disabilities

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Neurodiversity, system collaborations and transition services for youth with disabilities are some of the most cutting-edge topics in the wider world of disability employment. Fostering cooperation between different programs is critical for achieving transformative results for people with significant barriers to employment.

The Neurodiversity at Work programs at the Kennedy Krieger Institute is built on a foundation of interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration. It offers critical lessons and emerging practices for other youth serving agencies, organizations, and programs. This webinar discussed in detail what makes Kennedy Krieger’s work successful. [continue reading…]

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: Ensuring Inclusion and Allyship for Actors with Disabilities with Kurt Yaeger, Netflix’s Another Life

Kurt Yaeger smiling headshot

Kurt Yaeger

Actor and RespectAbility Lab alumnus Kurt Yaeger  discussed how creators, showrunners, and industry executives can ensure inclusion and allyship for actors with disabilities, using his personal experiences working on season 2 of Netflix’s sci-fi space drama Another Life as an example of best practice. Yaeger played Dillon Conner, a military engineer who lost one of his legs to an IED. Prior to this conversation, we encouraged you to watch the second season of Another Life, which premiered on October 14th. [continue reading…]

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: What is a Production Accessibility Coordinator, Why Do You Need One, and How to Become One?

Kiah Amara smiling headshot

Kiah Amara

As we push for more authentic representation for disabled people on-screen, it’s important to push for more accessible sets and working environments for everyone behind the camera, Disability education in production, and community connections that bring authenticity to the stories we tell. RespectAbility Fellow, 2020 Summer Lab alum, and media industry activist, Kiah Amara led a session all about the ins and outs of Production Accessibility, and how to get started doing this work and ensuring accessibility for all! [continue reading…]

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: Fireside Chat with Actor James Caverly and ASL Consultant Douglas Ridloff of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building

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NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: A Focus on the Future

This event is part of a larger series of events. Learn more: https://www.respectability.org/ndeam-entertainment-summit

This panel was a conversation with actor, James Caverly and ASL consultant, Douglas Ridloff, of Hulu’s hit murder mystery series, Only Murders in the Building, moderated by Deaf producer, writer, and director, Jevon Whetter (Flash Before the Bang). Together the group unpacked James’ recent experience as a Deaf actor portraying a Deaf character in Only Murders in the Building, and Douglas’ experience as an ASL Consultant on this show and other productions, in a discussion that highlighted current best practices in producing TV and film content with ASL dialogue, Deaf performers, and navigating space with Deaf characters.

This panel also explored some of the behind-the-scenes work that went into shaping one of the series’ most recent episodes, which was shot almost entirely in silence utilizing ASL and other forms of visual communication, and discussed the overall importance of authentic and inclusive storytelling when it comes to on-screen representation.

Featuring:

  • James Caverly, Actor, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building
  • Douglas Ridloff, ASL Consultant, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building
  • Jevon Whetter, Producer, Writer and Director
Headshots of Douglas Ridloff, James Caverly and Jevon Whetter.

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: Intentional Goal Setting with Lesley Hennen

Lesley Hennen smiling headshot

Lesley Hennen

As disabled creatives, the process of balancing professional and personal goals while also keeping up with the many “to-do’s” of daily life can often feel overwhelming. Writer, producer, and RespectAbility’s Entertainment & News Media Associate Lesley Hennen led a workshop focused on intentional goal setting. Together we worked toward building a sustainable and achievable path towards our goals, while also sharing some tips and tricks to stay focused yet flexible when life inevitably gets in the way.

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: A Focus on the Future

This event was part of a larger series of events. Learn more: https://www.respectability.org/ndeam-entertainment-summit

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: Disabled Black Girl Magic

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: A Focus on the Future

This event is part of a larger series of events. Learn more: https://www.respectability.org/ndeam-entertainment-summit

The entertainment and media space is challenging to navigate, especially when your identities are intersectional. This session was designed to create and cultivate connections among fellow disabled Black women creatives to support and learn from one another how to shine unapologetically through our work. This session was particularly designed to create a safe space for disabled Black women.

Tatiana Lee smiling outside in a parking lot.

Tatiana Lee

This session was hosted by RespectAbility’s own Tatiana Lee, Senior Associate of Entertainment Media, Actor, Model, and Inclusion Influencer.

Throughout the month of October 2021, join RespectAbility for a series of virtual celebrations, panel conversations and networking opportunities as we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Through a combination of forward-facing panels and breakout networking rooms, participants will learn about writing, directing, producing, self-advocacy and more. Please note that some sessions are open only to entertainment industry creatives who identify as deaf or disabled, as we seek to continue to build community. Learn more: https://www.respectability.org/ndeam-entertainment-summit.

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit Opening Session: Best Practices for Disability Inclusion

NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit: A Focus on the Future

This event is part of a larger series of events. Learn more: https://www.respectability.org/ndeam-entertainment-summit

To kick off RespectAbility’s NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit, attendees received an overview of who makes up the more than 60 million people who live with some form of physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health or other disability in America as well as statistics on the current state of disability representation in entertainment. They gained a basic understanding of best practices in language, as well as specific tropes commonly found in film and television to avoid. Self-advocates, allies, executives and creatives alike benefitted from this session, leaving with knowledge and best practices on how any one individual can effect positive change to fight stigmas of people with disabilities within their work.

Headshots of Lauren Appelbaum and Vanni Le

Lauren Appelbaum and Vanni Le

This session was by RespectAbility’s Lauren Appelbaum and Vanni Le.

Throughout the month of October 2021, join RespectAbility for a series of virtual celebrations, panel conversations and networking opportunities as we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Through a combination of forward-facing panels and breakout networking rooms, participants will learn about writing, directing, producing, self-advocacy and more. Please note that some sessions are open only to entertainment industry creatives who identify as deaf or disabled, as we seek to continue to build community. Learn more: https://www.respectability.org/ndeam-entertainment-summit.

Emerging Best Practices: Lessons on Virtual Pre-Employment Transition Services from Tennessee

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The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis have necessitated the shift to virtual services for many key educational, occupational and transitional service programs. As a part of the constellation of programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) support youth with disabilities during a critical time of their lives. Many states have been scrambling to manage the shift to virtual services and struggling to develop best practices to support client success.

Leaders in Tennessee’s vocational rehabilitation system have published a thorough best practice guide reflecting critical lessons and valuable insights gained about providing effective virtual Pre-Employment Transition Services. This free online learning opportunity directly enabled engaged workforce leaders and self-advocates to understand what works, what is changing and how to plan for an exciting virtual future. [continue reading…]

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