Channel 4 has launched OnTrack, a new Paralympic alumni network. Following the successful Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games on Channel 4, where at least 25 per cent of production company Whisper’s off-screen talent identified as disabled, this new initiative will ensure access to bursaries, masterclasses and events for senior deaf, disabled and neurodivergent off-screen talent.

Building on Channel 4’s proud legacy of championing disabled talent, OnTrack invites those with a Paralympic Games credit from 2012 onwards, and those who have been part of 4Skills’ Paralympic Production Training Scheme (PTS) to join the network via OnTrack, a Paralympic alumni network, and access regular, practical support for career progression and professional development.

This new initiative strengthens the legacy of support for off-screen Paralympic talent and underscores Channel 4’s ongoing commitment to support disabled talent at all stages of their careers.  Other Channel 4 initiatives that advocate for greater industry access and inclusion include:

• RISE: Mid to senior level mentoring

Now in its fourth cycle, RISE is Channel 4’s mentoring programme, in partnership with TripleC, for mid-senior level disabled talent. In recent years, RISE has spotlighted many creatives who have gained industry recognition such as Edinburgh TV Festival’s Ones to Watch and Broadcast’s Hot Shots.

• 4Connect: Online networking

In collaboration with Deaf and Disabled People in TV, 4Connect enters its fifth year, with genre-focused sessions that pair off-screen talent with productions.  So far, 4Connect has facilitated meetings with over a hundred disabled creatives and production companies, creating meaningful pathways to navigate the industry.

The Jack Thorne-initiated TV Access Project (TAP) also remains a high priority for Channel 4.  The broadcaster is collaborating on the pan-industry project to create real change in access for disabled talent, through representation on key workstreams and by continuing to embed TAP’s best practice for access and inclusion across its productions.

Ian Katz, Chief Content Officer at Channel 4, said: “Today marks another important moment in Channel 4’s unwavering commitment to driving long-term, sustainable change for disabled off-screen talent. Our expanded range of tailored initiatives including the new OnTrack network for Paralympic alumni, plus our vital partnership with TAP supports disabled talent, indies and producers to ensure disability inclusion is embedded at every level of the industry.

“Although there is still more to do to reach TAP’s goal of full inclusion by 2030, the work Channel 4 has done so far is evident in Diamond data, showing a rise in disabled creatives working on our productions.  This is real progress and announcing these new and ongoing initiatives today demonstrates Channel 4’s ongoing commitment.”

OnTrack, RISE, 4Connect and TAP demonstrate Channel 4’s consistent commitment to off-screen disability inclusion.  This sits alongside the channels Commissioning Diversity Guidelines, which set a benchmark that at least 10 per cent of every production team should identify as disabled, and requires senior-level editorial input from disabled creatives on all core disability programming.

Disabled off-screen talent on Channel 4 programmes reached 9.7 per cent in 2023/2024, an increase from 6.8 per cent in 2022/2023. This is in line with the industry overall via the 2024 Diamond Report.

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Categories: Press Releases

Tags: Channel 4, Paralympics