Paramount’s Commitment to Disability Inclusion: A Leader in Entertainment
Paramount Pictures continues to lead the charge in disability inclusion and representation within the entertainment industry, exemplified by the 3rd annual Summit on Disability, a groundbreaking event that brought together executives, creatives, and advocates to advance opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Since 2019, when CBS became the first entertainment company to sign the Ruderman Family Foundation pledge to audition actors with disabilities, Paramount has been at the forefront of these efforts. This commitment has evolved into the CBS Performers with Disabilities Talent Initiative and Paramount’s own initiatives aimed at fostering meaningful opportunities both on-screen and behind the scenes. The CBS Performers with Disabilities Talent Initiative, launched in September 2022, has already achieved significant milestones. These include the authentic casting of performers in prominent roles, such as the Network’s #1 series TRACKER, and numerous roles across various CBS productions during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons.
In addition to these initiatives, Paramount is proud to introduce its ninth Employee Resource Group (ERG), Adapt, which played a pivotal role in the 3rd annual Summit on Disability by fostering connections and driving conversations that advance inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Under the tagline “Accessibility and Belonging for Everyone,” Adapt focuses on advocating for accessible internal technologies, and authentic representation across Paramount’s content.” Adapt is committed to driving positive change by educating, engaging, and empowering Paramount employees, while advocating for external resources that prioritize disability inclusion,” states the studio.
Paramount’s efforts underscore its ongoing commitment to inclusion, with the Summit on Disability serving as a testament to this mission. By facilitating vital conversations and fostering connections between creatives, advocates, and executives, the summit continues to pave the way for individuals of all abilities to thrive in the entertainment industry. Joshua Walker, Director of Office of Global Inclusion, emphasizes the studio’s dedication: “This summit, our initiatives, and the work we’ve done so far are all steps in the right direction—but they aren’t permanent solutions. The commitment we’re making is to stay the course, continue learning, and ensure that inclusion is not just an initiative but a standard across everything we do. This work has challenged me to think more critically about how we can build systems of inclusion, and it’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly and while I may stumble along the way as I learn to be the best ally I can be, my determination remains steadfast.”
Nic Novicki, a panelist at the Summit on Disability, reflected on its impact, stating: “I feel honored to have had the opportunity to be on a Disability Representation panel alongside established disabled filmmaker Andrew Reid and Lindsay Fuerst, Senior Director of Talent and Casting at CBS Entertainment. It was truly an incredible opportunity to be able to talk about the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge and the talent in the disability community to an audience made up of Paramount executives from around the world. After the summit, the disabled participants who attended and I both felt optimistic about the future knowing that there are so many great executives within Paramount who care about disability inclusion and are working hard to create opportunities.”
Paramount remains committed to fostering an inclusive future by continuing to empower individuals of all abilities through initiatives like the Summit on Disability and beyond. By fostering inclusion and representation, the company hopes to ensure a brighter and more equitable future for individuals of all abilities, both in entertainment and within the workplace. These initiatives exemplify the studio’s dedication to empowering the disability community through meaningful opportunities and creating lasting change.
