Why We Exist

Every non-profit should have to justify their existence. Below is why we had to start Inevitable Foundation.

Mission

To invest in disabled writers and filmmakers so they can achieve artistic and financial freedom and use film and television to destigmatize disability and mental health globally.

Vision

A world where disabled people are valued on- and off-screen.

The Kicker

If we achieve our vision, this organization will no longer need to exist.

Mission and Vision

The Disability Representation Gap

Disabled screenwriters are rarely represented in the entertainment industry and frequently experience workplace discrimination and exclusion.

employment

<1%

of all employed TV writers are disabled.  

97%

of writers said their most recent writers’ room had no upper-level disabled writers. 

92%

of disabled TV writers have been the only disabed person on staff. 

93%

of writers said their most recent writers’ room had no disabled writers.

WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION

33%

of disabled writers report discrimination based on disability. 

69%

of disabled writers say they were excluded from certain opportunities due to their identity.

REPRESENTATION

0.5%

of screenwriting jobs in 2020 went to disabled writers. 

0.4%

of screen credits in 2020 went to disabled writers.

0.5%

of all WGA West members are disabled.

0

major networks track disability data in their diversity and inclusion efforts.

INDUSTRY FOCUS

1

grant exists for disability-focused films and TV shows.

0.15%

of first look and overall deals are with disabled creators.

2.4%

of all TV Academy members are disabled.

Looking for Disability 101?

Industry Barriers to Success

There are significant financial, access, and relationship barriers keeping disabled screenwriters from building thriving careers.

Money

Disabled people are vastly under-resourced compared to their non-disabled peers, yet they require more resources to live comparable lives. They need funding not just to get ahead, but to not fall behind.

28%

more income is needed (~$18k/year in median income) for a disabled person to have the same standard of living as a non-disabled person.

“The worst time was when my condition got really bad, and I had to take unpaid leave for a few months. That cost me thousands in lost income—having paid medical leave would have been huge.”


— Writer, mid-level

Access

Industry jobs frequently negotiate or refuse to provide accommodations to meet the basic needs of disabled talent, eliminating opportunities to build a thriving career.

2x

more likely to be unemployed than their non-disabled peers regardless of industry.

“One time, I was given the opportunity to observe in a writers' room, and they also generously provided an interpreter. However, when the interpreter asked for a team [since they needed to take breaks], my observation time was cut in half.


— Writer, lower-level

Relationships

Disabled screenwriters are rarely in the right rooms, because the rooms themselves are inaccessible, they have mobility limitations, or they simply don’t live in LA/NY.

2x

more likely to have inadequate transportation resources than their non-disabled peers.

On some projects, not having accommodations didn’t cost me money immediately, but meant missing networking opportunities, costing me money in the long run (i.e. not going to a wrap party or to dressing rooms to meet talent because [spaces] were difficult to access, etc.)


— Writer, lower-level