Applications are due by June 24, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET.

About the Role

The Disability Screen Office (DSO) is looking to engage a part-time, contract Researcher & Multi-Program Reports Writer who will be responsible for the authorship and creation of two Best Practices Guides for the DSO, in conjunction with the DSO’s Programs department, program partners, and related program Advisory Committees.

The Guides

1. Best Practices Guide for Disability Engagement
   As part of the DSO’s multi-year Mapping Representation and Barriers to Participation by People with Disabilities in the Screen-Based Media and Broadcasting Sectors research study, the DSO will publish this foundational resource for Canadian screen industry professionals at all levels. This guide will provide standards and guidelines for disability representation and inclusion, both on and off screen, across Canada’s Anglophone and Francophone film and television sectors. The content for this guide will be based on comprehensive international disability arts best practices, as well as the findings from the DSO’s research in Canada’s Screen Industry Survey on Disability and our focus groups and roundtables for this project.

1. Best Practices Guide for Accessibility at Canadian Screen Industry Events
   As part of the DSO’s Screen Festival Accessibility Program, the DSO will publish a best practices guide that will help Canadian screen industry organizations develop and grow audience-facing and industry stakeholder-facing accessibility initiatives for in-person events like film festivals and conferences over a multi-year period. The content for this guide will be based on the DSO’s work with a variety of festivals from across the country to pilot and refine standards for accessibility through community engagement, research, and training, as well as existing best practices at international screen industry events. 

Project Timeline

• Mid-July – August 2025: Research into international screen industry event accessibility best practices
• August – September 2025: Authorship period begins for Best Practices Guide for Disability Engagement based on findings from Canada’s Screen Industry Survey on Disability, draft submitted to DSO by end of September for revisions and feedback
• October – November 2025: Authorship period begins for Best Practices Guide for Accessibility at Canadian Screen Industry Events based on the findings from the DSO’s festival partners, draft submitted to DSO by end of November for revisions and feedback
• December 2025: Final revisions to both Best Practices Guides, guides prepared for publication
• Early 2026: Guides published

Who We’re Looking For

This opportunity is intended for individuals who self-identify as having a disability with experience synthesizing large amounts of information.

The ideal Researcher & Multi-Program Reports Writer has:

• Extensive subject matter expertise in both accessibility and film and television;
• Strong research skills and connections to the global disability arts landscape;
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into accessible content;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines;
• Experience with writing in plain language is an asset;
• Previous report writing experience with a non-profit organization or other research project an asset;

Application Process 

To apply, please submit:

1. A detailed resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
2. A proposal in a PDF containing the following information:
   1. Contact information: Including the applicant’s full name and contact information
   2. Letter of introduction: Outlining your understanding of and your interest in this project, and how it aligns with your work and experience;
   3. Professional writing experience: Provide brief examples of your background and experience with this type of work;
   4. Timeline: Based on the timeline listed above, provide a tentative work plan.
   5. Budget: Provide a proposed budget for the scope of work, including your hourly/daily rates and an estimate for hours of work. All costs included in the proposals must be all-inclusive, including applicable taxes, and total costs must not exceed $50,000.
   6. References: Provide two references for work similar to the proposed project.

Please submit your proposal to hr@dso-orphe.ca on or before June 24, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET (Toronto time). All applicants will receive a response to their application by June 26, 2025, informing them if they will be moving on to the next steps of the process.

Intellectual Property

The Disability Screen Office will retain full ownership of intellectual property rights to the materials generated during the project.