ABC Creates Pathway for Creatives Living with a Disability

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation in collaboration with Bust Stop Films has announced the first recipients of the inaugural Pathways Strategy to develop the careers of people living with disabilities in the Australian screen industry. A project aimed at increasing diversity in Australia’s film and television industry.

The project:

The ABC will fund the appointments, which will see recipients Sarah Armstrong and Blaise Borrer work as production assistants with ABC production teams. The Pathways Strategy is in line with the ABC’s commitment under its Five-Year Plan 2020-25 to look and sound like contemporary Australia.

What they said:

“People with disability often face obstacles to employment in the Australian screen industry. The Pathways Strategy is helping to clear the way by providing opportunity, access and expertise to emerging production talent.

“We look forward to working with Sarah and Blaise as part of the ABC’s commitment to greater inclusion, on and off screen, and are proud to help them along the path to flourishing creative careers,” Michael Carrington, ABC Director Entertainment Specialist.

“My dream is coming alive to be on the teams at Fremantle Australia and the ABC… I cannot wait to meet and work with them,” Sarah Armstrong, pathways recipient.

The Challenge:

Research presented by the ABS has shown that only around 39 per cent of people with intellectual disability are in the labour force, compared with 55 per cent for those with other types of disability and 83 per cent for the able-bodied population. As originally reported by Pro-Bono Australia.