The Rio Production Training Scheme and Rio Disabled Talent Fast-Track will build on Channel 4's legacy of investing in a ground breaking nationwide search for disabled on-screen talent for London 2012, as well as its track record in grassroots talent training schemes, they claim. 

The commitment comes as part of the 360 Diversity Charter and is part of the production tender awarded to leading sports producer, Sunset+Vine.

The Rio Production Training Scheme will see 24 trainees with disabilities employed for 12 months at production companies in the roles of junior assistant producer, production coordinator or technical assistant.

The successful applicants will receive specialist production training facilitated by Channel 4, in addition to structured work experience within their placed company.

"We're incredibly proud of the new and diverse talent we've fostered through 4Talent's production training scheme," said Priscilla Baffour, industry talent specialist at Channel 4.

"The annual initiative encourages new voices and perspectives into the industry and provides opportunities for people across the UK who are passionate about kick starting a career in the media.

"This year we're focussed on developing a pipeline of disabled production staff who we hope will join the 130 scheme graduates who have gone on to build successful careers in the industry."



The Rio Disabled Talent Fast-Track will, later this year, headhunt six disabled producers currently working in the industry, with a passion for sport, and further develop their production skills to enable them to fulfil key roles within Sunset+Vine's Rio 2016 production team.

"We are delighted to support Channel 4's bold initiative and look forward to welcoming the successful candidates into our production team for Rio," said Jeff Foulser, chairman of Sunset+Vine.

The new initiatives come after Channel 4's successful production of both the London 2012 and Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games.

Research carried out around the London 2102 Paralympics showed that two thirds of viewers felt the coverage of the Paralympics has had a favourable impact on their perceptions towards people with disabilities and also disabled sport.

Figures showed that 80 per cent of viewers enjoyed the fact that there were disabled presenters on screen and 74 per cent liked the matter of fact discussions about disability Channel 4's coverage of the Paralympics addressed.

"Channel 4's coverage of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be fronted and produced by teams that include the brightest and best disabled talent," said Alison Walsh, disability executive at Channel 4.

"As they did in London, the presentation team in Rio will bring in-depth knowledge of Paralympic sport and experience of disability, live broadcast skills and a uniquely Channel 4 tone and attitude to the coverage."

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