Entertainment and Media Fellowship

Disability Belongs™ Leadership Program: Fellowship in Entertainment and Media

Entertainment and Media Fellows on the set of Meet the Press during a tour of NBC Washington Bureau

Since 2015, Disability Belongs™ has consulted on more than 200 TV episodes and films by partnering with studios, production companies, and independent filmmakers at every stage of the creative process from development through casting, production and marketing. As an Entertainment and Media Fellow, you will be on the frontline of fighting stigmas in media and impacting on-screen representation, working collaboratively with the entire team to create and deliver authentic images, stories, and best practices.

Our program is fully accessible for people with disabilities and offers full-time in-house job coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities. Assistive technology support is available as needed.

Who We Want

We are looking for creative, results-driven individuals who want to learn about the inner workings of the entertainment industry and disability representation. Fellows should value hands-on experience, and be passionate about film and television. While no formal entertainment experience is required, this Fellowship is best suited for individuals with some basic knowledge and/or experience in entertainment (i.e., classes, student films, freelance work, etc.)

Fellowship Duties

The Fellows will work closely with our Entertainment and Media team and our Disability Belongs™ Leadership Program Manager. Individual projects will be assigned based on an individual’s unique skill set and their own ability to “bring something to the table.”

Jonathan Murray speaking to RespectAbility Fellows

Jonathan Murray, creator of The Real World and Born This Way, speaking to Disability Belongs™ Fellows

Entertainment and Media Fellows will have the opportunity to:

Consult on projects by reviewing scripts and animatics, PR/Marketing language, casting breakdowns, and other relevant industry materials
Write reviews for our website highlighting disability-inclusive content and other blog posts featuring Disability Belongs™-affiliated creatives, industry news and events, etc.
Research industry trends
Assist with logistics for pipeline programs and virtual events
Clean up transcripts of events and webinars, and add captions to videos

In addition to hands-on work experience, all Fellows will participate in special presentations by guest speakers and intensive strategic communications workshops. A career plan will be developed by each Fellow that will enable them to gain appropriate workplace experience while contributing directly and measurably to our organization’s impact.

Upon completing the Fellowship, graduates can expect to come away with firsthand experience in the entertainment industry, fair knowledge of issues impacting people with disabilities, and leadership skills to help them grow into confident advocates.

What Is It?

5-month, fully remote training program for leaders committed to creating systemic change for people with disabilities
Participants apply to specific Disability Belongs™ departments with the opportunity to collaborate with others
Fellows will build professional skills, network, participate in a diverse speaker series, work with a professional writing coach, as well as access 1:1 career planning support

Who Is It For?

Leaders pursuing careers in public policy, advocacy, communications, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging, fundraising, nonprofit management, or faith-based inclusion
College or graduate students
Individuals entering the workforce for the first time
Individuals re-entering the workforce
Individuals seeking new career opportunities

What Are The Details?

Core working hours are 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET
Fellows are asked to work at least 15 hours per week
Fellows cannot work more than 20 hours per week
Fellows will be paid $20.00/hr

Disability Belongs™ provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Disability Belongs™ complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.