Netflix is funding a drama diploma designed for people with learning disabilities and autistic people to try to close the disability representation gap in UK television.
Only 8% of characters onscreen are disabled, compared to 20% of the UK population. The course aims to foster confidence, community, and well-being in disabled and neurodivergent students. Of previous students, 80% reported increased confidence, 75% improved communication skills, and 70% increased independence.
The Performance Making diploma is the world’s only course at a major drama school designed for and by people with a learning disability and autistic people. It is led by Access All Areas and co-delivered with The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London.
Anne Mensah, VP of Content, UK at Netflix, said: “Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent creators are some of the least represented groups on television in the UK. Put simply, we want to change that. Supporting the Performance Making Diploma is part of our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive creative industry. We’re incredibly proud to support Access All Areas in this vital work, and can’t wait to see what this next generation of storytellers and creatives brings to the industry.”
Course Details:
Are you?
- Learning disabled and/or autistic?
- Passionate about drama?
- Considering a career on stage, screen, or live performance?
- Experienced in the performing arts?
- Aged 18+?
This highly acclaimed course, run in collaboration with The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and supported by Netflix, is one of the world’s leading creative courses for and by learning disabled and autistic artists.
You will work with celebrated arts professionals to learn performance skills, create performances in different styles, and prepare for different career options in the arts. You will also build links with industry experts and television professionals through Access All Areas’ relationship with Netflix.
All classes are co-led by professional learning disabled and/or autistic artists.
Applications for the 2025-2027 are open until Tuesday, June 24th
Auditions will take place over two days during the week of 21st July 2025.
The Diploma is a part-time, two-year course. It runs from October 2o25 to July 2027.