Creating Opportunity Is Only the Beginning: What Inclusive Media Really Needs

With ITV reopening its Disabled Writers in Development programme this week, it’s clear the media industry is continuing to move in the right direction. But creating opportunity is only one part of the story.

Programmes like this are important. They open doors that have historically been closed, offering access, visibility, and a route into an industry that can often feel difficult to navigate — particularly for Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals.

But access alone is not inclusion.

The Difference Between Entry and Belonging

Initiatives like this create a vital starting point. They recognise talent, provide structure, and offer development in a way that is often missing from traditional routes into media.

However, what happens after that first opportunity matters just as much.

For many neurodivergent creatives, the challenges don’t begin at the application stage — they begin once they’re inside the room.

Fast-paced, high-pressure environments

Unwritten social expectations

Sensory demands on set or in production spaces

A lack of clarity around roles, feedback, or progression

Without the right understanding and support, even the most talented individuals can struggle to sustain or grow within the industry.

Why Authentic Voices Matter

There has been a noticeable shift in recent years towards more inclusive storytelling. Audiences are increasingly aware of representation — and more importantly, authenticity.

There is a significant difference between stories told about neurodivergence and those told by neurodivergent people.

Authentic voices bring:

Depth and nuance to characters

Realistic dialogue and lived experience

New perspectives that challenge outdated narratives

This isn’t just about fairness — it leads to better, more engaging content.

Moving Beyond Tokenism

The media industry has made progress, but there is still work to do.

Inclusion cannot be a one-off initiative or a single programme. It needs to be embedded into the way organisations think, create, and operate.

This means:

Involving neurodivergent voices throughout the creative process, not just at the beginning

Providing ongoing support, not just short-term opportunities

Creating environments where individuals feel able to contribute fully, not just “fit in”

True inclusion is about retention, progression, and influence — not just access.

What Good Looks Like

Programmes like this one from ITV are a positive step forward. They are paid, structured, and focused on development — all key elements of meaningful opportunity.

But for real, lasting impact, organisations should also be asking:

What happens after the programme ends?

How are these writers supported in their next steps?

Are production environments set up to enable them to succeed?

Is neurodiversity understood across the wider team?

When these questions are considered, opportunity becomes something more powerful — a pathway, not just a moment.

There is clear momentum within the media industry, and that should be recognised.

But meaningful inclusion is not defined by how many opportunities are created — it is defined by what happens next.

Because opening the door is important.

Ensuring people can walk through it, stay, and thrive is what truly makes the difference