Employment Resource for People with Disabilities In the Performing Arts and Other Media-Related Occupation
Who We Are: The Media Access Office (MAO) is a program sponsored jointly by the California Governor's Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons and the State Employment Development Department. It has operated in the Los Angeles area for over 20 years, and a new branch has now opened to help facilitate employment for people with disabilities in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout Northern & Central California.
What We Do: The MAO functions as a liaison between the entertainment industry and people with disabilities seeking employment. We offer a free casting service representing performers with disabilities; provide script consultation on disability issues to ensure accurate portrayals within the media; referrals to assistive technology and experts in the disability and performance communities; career development and planning; and classes for both adults and children.
How We Can Help YOU! Performers or others interested in working in the entertainment/media industry, with a recognized visible or non-visible disability, should register with us so that we may notify you of any opportunities for which you might be suitable. Even if you already have union affiliation and/or an agent, we can help you know what jobs are available in the area, submit you for auditions, and help you with career development programs and classes. We will send you a new client package explaining our programs.
Casting agents: we can assist you in filling any job openings with qualified professionals, both those roles specifically calling for performers with disabilities, and by encouraging "non-traditional" casting in roles not necessarily written for such. Such portrayals increase public awareness and may help reduce discrimination faced by people with disabilities. Talent agencies, production companies & producers and any other industry employers can utilize our services, for either themselves or any associates/clients they may represent. Please contact us with any opportunities or questions.
There is absolutely NO COST for any of our programs!
How to Contact MAO/North:
Mailing address is:
Doug Gordy/Program Specialist & Casting Liaison,
c/o EDD/MAO North, 363 Civic Dr.,
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-1987.
Phone # is (925) 602-1542 (please use a Relay Operator for TTY),
fax # is (925) 689-3378.
By email, contact DGordy@edd.ca.gov. MAO also has a website link at www.gcedp.org for further information.
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