Disabled Creatives logo in white copy

A creative programme championing and supporting disabled and neurodivergent folk, now in it’s 2nd year.

Applications are now closed

Disabled creatives are some of the most creative people in the world
– and the advertising, design and creative industry is missing out.
Until now.

Disabled creatives have been overlooked and underinvested in the advertising, design and marketing industries. More than ever, these industries need the best creative problem solvers. Adapting to life every day in a world that isn’t built for you is creative problem-solving in action. Disabled creatives are some of the most creative people in the world.

This is a free 15-day programme (split over 4 weeks) for up to 20 disabled and neurodivergent creatives from across the UK.  Disabled Creatives provides the tools, knowledge and support to develop individuals in creative fields and provides bridges into the creative industry.

The programme is open to disabled and neurodivergent talent who've previously worked or studied as a creative (art director, copywriter, content creator or designer or very similar role) in the advertising, marketing or design industry.

In partnership with…

A white neurodiverse woman smiling beyond the camera, wearing a green jumper, talking to two men in an office-like environment.
A white man with a based ball cap on stands to the left and a man to the left wearing a beanie hat, stand in front a group of people sitting in chairs watching a presentation.
A man is standing by a tall table talking to two people. One of them is seated and the other one is standing.

Creative Equals' Disabled Creatives 2024 Video

The Disabled Creatives programme

Disabled Creatives is a free 15 day programme, split over 4 weeks (with a 4 day break in between). The programme is run in three sections:

  • Week 1 - The workshops
    A curated mix of online sessions, self-directed learning, and interactive workshops designed to flex your creative thinking skills and foster collaborative dynamics, as well as highlight current creative industry trends. These sessions are run online by the world-class educational organisation D&AD and you’ll be supported all the way through!
    Find out more about D&AD

  • Week 2 - Creative Exploration
    You will work on a creative brief from Diageo where you can show off your creative skills. You'll work  either individually or as part of a small team with support from a mentor from our Creative Agency Partners.

  • Week 3 - The Presentation Day and then a break
    Presentation day is an in-person event in a central London location, where you’ll be able to present your creative ideas and/or designs back to Diageo and before an audience of Creative Mentors and industry peers.
    (Depending on circumstances, if necessary, allowances will be made for a virtual connection on the Presentation Day).
    Then a 4 day break to allow for time to rest and reflect

  • Week 4 - Employability support
    You will attend workshops to support your journey back into employment with training on how to best utilise LinkedIn, how to refresh your portfolio, how to navigate today’s job market and as well as hear from talent and career specialists.  Additional mentorship will also be offered post-programme over a 3 month period.


Note: If we can make adjustments to make this programme more accessible, please let us know on your application form or by emailing anna@creativeequals.org

The programme is designed to help you:

  • Accelerate your creative career, giving you and your voice a seat at the table.

  • Bolster your portfolio on a working brief from the global mega-brand Diageo.

  • Boost your confidence to share your perspective and ask for what you need to make your best work. 

  • Discover how the creative industry is advancing with new technological tools, and learn from industry experts and career specialists.

  • Grow and learn alongside a talented community of disabled and neurodivergent creative talent.

Who is this programme for?

Disabled Creatives UK is open to  disabled (and those that identify as disabled) and neurodivergent creatives, who have previously worked or studied as a creative in the advertising, marketing and design industry.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Have previously worked or studied as a  creative, art director, copywriter, content creator or designer or very similar role, in the advertising, marketing and/or design industry.

  • Have current full UK working rights and reside in the UK.

  • Have support structures in place to be able to attend the course virtually and attend the presentation day at a Central London location (depending  on your circumstances, allowances will be made for a virtual connection).

  • Have the computer equipment/internet access in place  to be able to attend the course virtually.

The programme is FREE to attend, however If you require financial support eg. travel or assistant costs during the programme, please let us know by selecting the relevant box on the application form.  We'll review your request and do our best to assist you. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from our programme, regardless of their financial situation.

Note: If we can make adjustments to make this programme more accessible, please let us know or by emailing: emma@creativeequals.org

“The experience had such a positive effect on my work that one of my freelance clients snatched me up as a permanent employee just a few months after the course. Overall, this has given me so much more confidence in regards to my employment!”

— Disabled Creatives 2023 participant

A woman, wearing black glasses and a black and white patterned shirt smiling, talking to a person out of shot. There is a mint, purple and blue overlay on the image.

“I had no idea how impactful joining Disabled Creatives would be, and the thing I least expected was for it to bring me to a place of deep understanding about myself.”

— Disabled Creatives 2023 participant

A black man holding a microphone smiling looking off to the left. There is a mint, purple and blue overlay on the image.

FAQs

APPLICANT INFORMATION

  • Any person who is disabled (or who identifies as disabled) and/or is neurodivergent.

    You must have previously worked or studied as a creative in the advertising, marketing and/or design industry in one of the following roles: creative, creative strategist, art director, copywriter, editor, content creator or designer or very similar role.

    You must have current full UK working rights and be currently in the UK. We can only consider applications from candidates who have UK citizenship or hold a valid visa.

  • This programme is for people who identify as disabled, or who might have long term health conditions or access needs, or identify as neurodiverse.

    This might mean different things to different people, so examples include:

    • Hearing loss – D/deaf

    • Hearing loss – hard of hearing

    • Vision loss – Blind

    • Vision loss – low vision/vision impairment

    • Mobility – wheelchair user

    • Mobility – restricted ambulation, balance challenges, lower limb loss

    • Dexterity (for example, tremors, upper limb loss or hand loss, low grip strength or control)

    • Musculoskeletal (for example, back or neck and shoulders)

    • Memory challenges

    • Specific learning difficulties (such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia or Dyscalculia)

    • Generalised learning disability

    • Neurodiverse conditions such as autism, sensory overload, ADHD and/or ADD

    • Mental health conditions

    • Long-term health condition, such as multiple sclerosis, heart conditions, epilepsy or chronic pain

    This is not a exhaustive list, so please still apply if your disability/neurodiverse condition is not on the list. Please note: we will never ask you to share more than you are comfortable sharing.

  • Up to 20 people will be invited to join the programme.

  • There is a 2 stage application process:

    The first application form can be found at the top of this webpage. We will ask you for your details, your CV, your website or your portfolio.

    Once you have submitted your information you will be considered for selection to the second stage.

    The second stage will require you to respond to a small creative brief.

    You shouldn’t need access to anything high-tech to be able to complete your application. As long as you have access to a mobile device or computer, and a reliable internet connection you should be able to complete the application process.

    We want you to be able to apply to the best of your ability, so if you have any questions about the application (no matter how big or small) or if you need us to make any adjustments to make this form accessible for you, please let us know and we will do our best to support your requirements. Please contact anna@creativeequals.org

  • We have a team ready to support you with the application form, if you are unable to fill it out individually. Please let us know you need support by emailing anna@creativeequals.org

  • 1st stage applications open on Monday 8th April and close on Friday 3rd May.

    We will respond to all 1st stage applications by Monday 6th May.

    2nd stage applications open Monday 6th May and close Friday 10th May.

    We will respond to all 2nd stage applications by Monday 13th May.

  • Yes. This programme is only open to people who have previously worked or studied in the creative industry as a creative, creative strategist, art director, copywriter, editor, content creator or designer, or very similar role.

  • If you’ve had occasional stints of freelance work then yes, absolutely. However please note that we’d need your full commitment for the duration of the programme.

  • If you are working in a job outside of the creative industry and would like to return to a creative role you can apply. However you must be able to attend the full programme schedule.

    If you have never worked or studied in the creative industry then unfortunately this programme is not suitable for you.

  • Unfortunately not. This programme is only open disabled/neurodiverse creatives who have experience either studying or working as a creative in the advertising and design industry.

  • This programme is better suited to disabled or neurodiverse people who have already spent time working as a creative.

  • Yes.

    Please note there will be an in-person day on Monday 17th June in a central London location which you’ll need to attend. If necessary, allowances will be made for a virtual connection.

SELECTION PROCESS

  • The Creative Equals team will review all applications. We will let you know as soon as possible whether you have got through to the 2nd stage.


    The latest you will hear from us is Monday 6th May.

  • All first and second stage applications will be reviewed for suitability by a diverse panel of people who work or are familiar with the creative industry.

    We’re committed to building an inclusive group of participants irrelevant of age, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability or ethnicity.

  • There are up to 20 spaces available.

THE PROGRAMME

  • The programme is 15 days long, split over 4 weeks, with a one week break.

  • Week 1 Monday June 3rd - Friday 7th June

    Week 2 Monday 10th June - Friday 14th June

    Week 3 Monday 17th June ONLY (this is a presentation day in person in London)

    Week 4 Monday 24th June - Thursday 27th June

  • The programme is run virtually via Zoom however the presentation day is in person in London on Monday 17th June. You must be able to attend this.

    (Depending on circumstances, if necessary, allowances will be made for a virtual connection on the Presentation Day).

  • The programme will run virtually from 9:30am-2:30pm

    On the Presentation day (17th June) the hours will be in person from 10am-5pm in central London Venue. You must be able to attend this full day.

    (Depending on circumstances, if necessary, allowances will be made for a virtual connection on the Presentation Day).

  • Yes. You will need to be able to attend the full 15 days.

  • No. We expect you to commit to the full 15 days of the programme.

  • If you require any adjustments or have any accessibility needs to attend the online programme and the presentation day on the 17th June in person, please let us know in the application form.

    Our venue for the presentation day on Monday 17th June is fully accessible for wheelchair users.

    We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from our programme, regardless of their financial situation. We understand that financial barriers can be a hindrance to participation, and we don't want that to hold anyone back.

    If you require financial support eg. travel or assistant costs during the programme, please let us know by ticking the relevant box in the application form or contact emma@creativeequals.org

    • Access to a mobile device or laptop

    • Access to a quiet space with reliable internet connection

    • To be able to attend all 15 days of the programme schedule

    • Childcare/caring duties ( if applicable) covered during the programme hours

    • To be able to attend the presentation day in person in London (though depending on circumstances, if necessary, allowances will be made for a virtual connection on the Presentation Day)

POST PROGRAMME

  • It’s important to us that you finish the programme feeling confident about working within the creative industry.

    We also understand that in some cases a little more support is required. If this is the case we will offer you a mentor who will support you for a period of 3 months after the programme.

  • To really change the creative industry, we need the creative industry on board. Partners usually support us in any of the following ways

    • Applicant outreach - amplifying and making noise that our programme exists.

    • Sponsorship

    • Mentorship of one or two participants throughout the programme

    • Providing content for -workshops and sessions

    If you’re up for creating a more equitable industry, let’s chat about how we work together to achieve it. Please email emma@creativeequals.org

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