RespectAbility Entertainment Professionals Lab, Summer 2022

Maureen McEly
Maureen McEly is a screenwriter/producer with a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia gravis. She amassed more than a decade of experience in the unscripted world, producing episodes of television for networks like Bravo, MTV and NBC, before leaving that field in 2020 to pursue her own creative work. Since then, she has been a Nicholl and Slamdance semifinalist, a WeScreenplay finalist, as well as a published author of short fiction and short humor. In 2023, she will be making her directorial debut with a short film she wrote called Golden Hour.
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After an extensive search and interview process, 18 individuals and one writing duo were invited to participate in the Virtual Cohort of RespectAbility’s 2022 Entertainment Lab taking place August 16 – September 22, 2022. This 6-week, 18-session Lab aims to further develop and elevate the talent pipeline of diverse professionals with disabilities working behind-the-scenes in television, film, and streaming. Participants include people with physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and other disabilities ranging in age from people in their 20’s through their 50’s. The Lab is a recipient of The Roddenberry Foundation Impact Award.
The Virtual Cohort of the 2022 Entertainment Lab is made possible with support by:
- Platinum Sponsors: Murray/Reese Foundation and Netflix
- Gold Sponsors: The Harnisch Foundation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and The Walt Disney Company
- Silver Sponsors: Hollywood Foreign Press Association Charitable Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, and NBCUniversal