Canadian public broadcaster the CBC has announced AccessCBC: A CBC Initiative for Creators with a Disability, a national pilot program for Deaf and disabled creators.

The program will offer training, mentorship and on certain selected projects, financing support, to create documentary and scripted content. CBC is partnering on the project with ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto presented by the Miles Nadal JCC, which provides creative opportunities and training for people with a disability who work in film, TV or video content production.

“This first of its kind program will provide professional development, skill enhancement, mentorship and funding opportunities to creators who have the necessary talent to thrive in the media industry when not faced with accessibility barriers,” said Sally Catto, CBC general manager of Entertainment, Factual & Sports.

AccessCBC is designed for creators working on short documentaries and scripted comedy or drama. In the program’s short documentary stream, filmmakers will participate in a two-month development mentorship that will see 10 participants shortlisted and awarded development funding. The participants will be closely mentored by a CBC executive who will provide guidance on the development process. In the end, one of the shortlisted projects will be greenlit for production.

The scripted pitch development stream will offer 10 creators multiple development workshops that are tailored to scripted content. Participants will get practical experience writing pitch documents, individualized feedback, coaching on how to package and market their project, and networking opportunities with other industry professionals from CBC and across the sector.

Submissions are open to creators with previous storytelling experience and past or present employment in any media industry position, who self-identify as having a disability, and who are not employed by the CBC.

The submission process is open until January 26. More information can be found via on the AccessCBC website.

– This story originally appeared in Realscreen.