Disabled Access to Creative Industry Employment

Access to Creative Industry Employment (sponsored by the Snap Foundation)

County of Los Angeles

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

There are over 500,000 working-age Angelenos with disabilities and only 22.8% have jobs. By contrast, 74.4% of Angelenos without disabilities have jobs. The majority of creative industry internships require that applicants possess at least 1 year of relevant work experience to qualify, creating a significant barrier for job seekers with disabilities who struggle with securing an internship due to a lack of prior relevant work experience. Industry internships have become the entry-level job and are no longer for people just entering the workforce. Applicants who don't have prior relevant work experience simply don't qualify. Additionally, employers are less likely to hire an applicant with a disability due to societal stereotypes/stigmas. Securing the first internship is even more difficult for job seekers with disabilities, as employers are less likely to hire an applicant with a disability due to stereotypes/stigmas and are much more likely to hire those who've had internships before

This program serves adults 18+ with disabilities who have expressed an interest in developing the skills needed to pursue creative industry employment.? This business partnership focused program fosters employer awareness of the skills/abilities of people with disabilities, promoting inclusive employment opportunities and assists in increasing the hiring rates of people with disabilities in skilled occupations that employers are seeking to fill. The program brings together people from different neurotypes, physical abilities, racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds to develop mutual understanding and real connections by working on a common work-based project, and promotes the collaboration of people from diverse backgrounds learning about, understanding, and celebrating participants' and employers' unique contributions, differences, and similarities. Over the course of a year, participants complete 5 hrs/wk of production role-based training that provides participants with clarity, alignment, and expectations of all roles in each department and promotes effective communication between various departments facilitating the full integration of the departments and company as a whole. Participants also receive 10 hrs/wk of hands-on, project-based training in industry workplace settings, working alongside industry employers on all phases of production of a live music event. Participants will gain 1 year of relevant work experience qualifying them for creative industry internships.

It is crucial that employers create inclusive workplaces to ensure that Angelenos with disabilities can thrive and fully participate in the workforce.Employment offers numerous benefits to Angelenos with disabilities, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives, contribute to society, and realize their potential.The short-term objective of this program is to continue to provide innovative services and support(s) that are tailored to each participant,enabling participants to build professional industry connections by performing skilled work alongside industry employers, as well as continue to provide participants with relevant work experience to add to their resumes making them stronger candidates when applying for internship/job opportunities.The long-term objective of this program is to continue to provide business focused services that respond to creative industry employers needs and further increase the hiring of workers with disabilities in skilled, creative jobs in Los Angeles County

YIC currently serves 63 Angelenos with disabilities;of which, 23 are pursuing industry internships,65% of these participants have secured internships and 45% have secured FT employment in creative careers.Utilizing surveys and assessments, data is collected throughout the duration of the program.Surveys are conducted at the beginning and end of the program utilizing a standardized set of measures.Assessments are conducted to track participant outcome data and to collect data on all performed activities to ensure the program is on target with the approved work plan.Data is solicited from program participants,YIC staff and directors, employers, and other community stakeholders.A quarterly report will be submitted to the Goldhirsh Foundation reporting on performance measures, activities, and financial data.Data is evaluated internally ensuring compliance with standards, identify trends in services,detect areas needing improvement, track financial data, and for strategic planning purposes.

YIC has formed strong partnerships and actively collaborates with 100+ creative industry professionals and employers, educational institutions, government agencies, and for- and nonprofit organizations, enabling YIC to leverage resources and increase the impact of this program. Some partner organizations YIC will be collaborating with on this program include: North Agenda Group/Creative Industry Employer: Mentoring participants, Consultant, Internships; 1500 Sound Academy/Accredited Trade School: Collaboration with skills training; College of the Canyons/Community College: Collaboration with skills training; Tink Tank Animate/Creative Industry Employer: Mentoring participants, internships. Partner organization support letters will be provided to Goldhirsh Foundation/LA 2050 at request.