Employable Me series for ABC

ABC has announced production is underway on a new documentary series, Employable Me.

The series will bring diverse stories, including those about people living with disabilities, as it follows people with neuro-diverse conditions such as Autism, Asperger’s and Tourette Syndrome looking for employment.

With the help of experts in the field, the series will draw on science to highlight the skills of each job-seeker and match them to roles that can harness their strengths.

Produced by Northern Pictures (Changing Minds), it has the backing of Screen Australia and the NSW Government, which hopes the series will change employer behaviour.

NSW Minister for Disability Services, Ray Williams MP, said: “Research shows that across all sectors, a critical barrier for jobseekers with a disability is the attitude of prospective employers.

“The NSW Government is delighted to provide funding for Employable Me in line with the NSW Disability Inclusion Plan. I hope that the series will contribute to building positive community attitudes on employment for people with a disability.”

Michael Brealey, CEO of Create NSW said: “Create NSW has lead the industry in developing programs that support professional opportunities for people with disabilities, including the Screenability program. We are very pleased to partner on Employable Me which will further shine a light on the capabilities of people with disabilities as well as the challenges they face.”

Screen Australia’s Senior Manager of Documentary, Liz Stevens said: “The use of science to reveal the unique talents and skills of those living with neurological conditions impressed us as a particularly compelling way to inspire confidence in the value of employing people with disabilities in the workplace. We are proud to support Northern Pictures to make Employable Me and hope it will challenge perceptions and create opportunities.”

ABC Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie said: “The ABC is committed to telling significant stories of diversity and inclusion that can make a positive change to the lives of Australians – especially those who are disadvantaged.

“Employable Me will be another example of distinctive content delivered by the ABC that encourages a national debate about this important topic.”

It will air in 2018.