With Getty Images’ mission to move the world, we are partnering with Verizon and the National Disability Leadership Alliance (NDLA) to promote diversity within creative commercial photography and videography, elevating the work and voices of people within disability communities. The Disability Communities Creative Grant  provides financial support and mentorship to artists who are committed to authentically representing members within the disability community.  

The theme for this year’s Grant, Disability Communities, will emphasize the “community” aspect of disability communities themselves. Often in advertising and media, members of the disability community are shown solo, or only with able‑bodied people around them, yet infrequently with other members of the community. This Grant aims to portray a diverse range of people, groups and experiences within the disability community in a variety of settings, with the overarching goal of helping brands, agencies and content creators more authentically represent those within the community.

This Grant comes on the heels of The Disability Collection, a joint effort launched in 2018 by Getty Images and Verizon, in conjunction with the National Disability Leadership Alliance (NDLA) to more authentically represent people with disabilities in the media. The collection has grown to include over 4,000 curated images and videos devoted to portraying individuals with disabilities more accurately.

Applicants must apply using our online application found here. Grants will be awarded by an industry‑leading panel of creative leaders and disability activists selected for their expertise and experience. Selection will be based on the judges’ determination of the applicant’s ability to execute the submitted project with a compelling commercial visual narrative based on either still images or video. The jury will consider the caliber of the portfolio, the project's merit and the artist’s professional ability. The judges will also be assessing how the submitted projects authentically represent the disability community from across the globe and how the project will help to change the way media and advertising represent the community related to this year’s theme.