RespectAbility hosted a virtual celebration including panel conversations and networking opportunities as we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2022. Some sessions were open only to entertainment industry creatives who identify as deaf or disabled, as we seek to continue to build community. ASL Interpretation and Live Captioning were available for this event.
Want to learn more about or watch recordings from the 2021 Summit? Please visit the 2021 NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit page.
Featuring:
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| Corey Evans Entertainment and News Media Apprentice, RespectAbility |
Craig Gerber Creator, Executive Producer, Disney Branded Television‘s animated series “Firebuds” |
Delbert Whetter COO & Head of Business Affairs, Exodus Film Group |
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| Diana Theobald Director, Equity & Inclusion, Content Warner Bros. Discovery |
Jacquill Moss Entertainment Media Program Coordinator, RespectAbility |
Lauren Appelbaum SVP, Communications and Entertainment & News Media, RespectAbility |
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| Lauren “Lolo” Spencer Jazmyn “Jazzy” Jones, Disney Branded Television‘s animated series “Firebuds” |
Lesley Hennen Entertainment Media Associate, RespectAbility |
Sarah Gutierrez Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Content & Productions, Warner Bros. Discovery |
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| Shea Mirzai Writer and Co-Chair, WGA Disabled Writers Committee |
Vanessa Pfeiffer Director, Access Programs, Equity + Inclusion Warner Bros. Discovery |
Vanni Le Entertainment Outreach Program Manager RespectAbility |
Wednesday, Oct 12
Session 1: Animating Disability with Disney Junior’s Firebuds
2:00-3:00 pm ET / 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT
- Craig Gerber, Creator, Executive Producer, Disney Branded Television‘s animated series “Firebuds”
- Lauren “Lolo” Spencer, Jazmyn “Jazzy” Jones,, Disney Branded Television‘s animated series “Firebuds”
- Lauren Appelbaum, SVP, Communications and Entertainment & News Media, RespectAbility
- Vanni Le, Entertainment Outreach Program Manager, RespectAbility
Session 2: Warner Bros. Discovery Access Career Strategy Conversation and Networking
5:00-7:00 pm ET / 2:00-4:00 pm PT
- 5:00 pm ET / 2:00 pm PT: Introduction by RespectAbility’s Delbert Whetter, Corey Evans, and Jacquill Moss
- 5:15 pm ET / 2:15 pm PT: Warner Bros. Discovery Access Career Strategy Conversation
- Sarah Gutierrez, Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Content & Productions, Warner Bros. Discovery
- Vanessa Pfeiffer, Director, Access Programs, Equity + Inclusion, Warner Bros. Discovery
- Diana Theobald, Director, Equity & Inclusion, Content, Warner Bros. Discovery
- 6:00 pm ET / 3:00 pm PT: Networking Sessions for Disabled Creatives on Working in the Industry with a Disability
- Please make sure you pick your networking preferences! You will be sent a Google document to complete.
Thursday, Oct 13
Session 3: Getting a Job in a Writers’ Room and Networking
2:00 – 4:00 pm ET / 11:00 am – 1:00 pm PT
- 2:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT: Getting a Job in a Writers’ Room with…
- Shea Mirzai, Writer and Co-Chair, WGA Disabled Writers Committee
- Lesley Hennen, Entertainment Media Associate, RespectAbility
- 3:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm PT: Networking Sessions for Disabled Creatives on Working in the Industry with a Disability
- Please make sure you pick your networking preferences! You will be sent a Google document to complete.
RespectAbility’s 2022 NDEAM Entertainment Media Summit was supported in part by:
- The Harnisch Foundation
- Murray/Reese Foundation
- Sony Pictures Entertainment
- The Walt Disney Company
- Warner Bros. Discovery
Have questions about this event, or requests for accommodation? Reach out to us at [email protected].
