June 12, 2025 — As part of Mapping Representation and Barriers to Participation by People with Disabilities in the Screen-Based Media and Broadcasting Sectors, the DSO, Coalition M.É.D.I.A, and research firm Nordicity are conducting a series of national focus groups to gather meaningful input from disabled creatives working in a variety of roles within the Canadian screen industry. 

The findings of this research will complement data from Canada’s Screen Industry Survey on Disability and contribute to the development of standards, supports, and systemic change in Canada’s screen sector. Your lived experience and professional insights will inform policies, programs, and frameworks aimed at advancing accessibility and equity across the industry.

We are currently recruiting people with disabilities for 14 in-person and virtual focus groups taking place in July 2025. Some will explore a specific experience of disability, while others will concentrate on various areas of employment within the screen industry. In alignment with the DSO’s commitment to valuing the expertise of disabled creatives, all focus group participants will be compensated for their time and contributions. 

We are committed to meeting the access needs of our participants. Some focus groups will be held in English, while others will be held in French. ASL/LSQ interpretation and CART services will be available for all sessions. In-person gatherings will take place in accessible spaces, with light refreshments available. To ensure a productive discussion, each focus group will be limited to 10 participants.

This research is made possible thanks to the generous support of Accessibility Standards Canada, the Canada Media Fund, Shaw Rocket Fund, Ontario Creates, Creative BC, Bell Fund and Picture NL.

Explore our focus groups and register your interest in participating:

In-Person Focus Groups

Crew members with disabilities (union and non-union)

July 7, 2025, 3-5 PM ET
Toronto, Ontario
National Film Board of Canada
145 Wellington St W Suite 1000, Toronto, ON M5J 1H8

Register now by clicking here.

Francophone disabled creatives across all areas of screen industry employment (union and non-union) 

Conducted in French

July 7, 2025, 3-5 PM ET
Montréal, Quebec
National Film Board of Canada
1501 Rue de Bleury, Montréal, QC H3A 0H3

Register now by clicking here.

Producers and production management with disabilities (CMPA members and non-members)

July 23, 2025, 3-5 PM PT
Vancouver, British Columbia
Creative BC
7 W 6th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1K2

Register now by clicking here.

Virtual Focus Groups (on Zoom)

Actors with disabilities (ACTRA/UBCP/UDA members)

July 10, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Actors with disabilities (non-union)

July 11, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Register now by clicking here. 

July 14, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Register now by clicking here.

Directors with disabilities (union and non-union)

July 15, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Register now by clicking here.

Post-production workers with disabilities (including editors, colourists, VFX professionals, music supervisors, sound editors, sound mixers, subtitlers, captioners)

July 18, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Register now by clicking here.

Marketing and distribution workers with disabilities (including development, sales, and film festival roles)

July 22, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Register now by clicking here. 

Membership and industry relations workers with disabilities (including broadcasting, unions, guilds, associations, and advocacy roles)

July 24, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Register now by clicking here.

Francophone disabled creatives across all areas of screen industry employment (union and non-union) working outside of Montréal

Conducted in French

July 25, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Register now by clicking here.

Disabled creatives working in children & youth programming 

July 29, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Register now by clicking here.

Disabled creatives who left the industry or experienced job interruptions due to disability, or who acquired a disability as a result of film industry work or workplace injury

July 30, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Register now by clicking here.

Disabled creatives with chronic illnesses, degenerative conditions, cyclical conditions, changing access needs, and/or invisible disabilities

August 1, 2025, 12 PM - 2 PM ET
(9 AM - 11 AM PT / 10 AM - 12 PM MT / 11 AM - 1 PM CT / 1 PM - 3 PM AT / 1:30 - 3:30 PM NT)

Register now by clicking here.