As a part of the Storytellers’ initiative, Walt Disney’s committed a grant of 1 million dollars to improve the vast of technology and curriculum of the Exceptional Minds Nonprofit, a creative arts academy for young adults with autism. 

The announcement was released on Oct 22, at the Exception Minds “Decade of Impact” event. Variety gathered a few comments about the incredible grant. 

When speaking at the event, Jennifer Cohen, executive vice president of corporate social; responsibility at Walt Disney stated, 

“At Disney, we recognize the importance of investing in skill-building opportunities when it comes to preparing youth for careers in storytelling,” said Jennifer Cohen, executive vice president of corporate social responsibility at the Walt Disney Company. “As part of our Disney Future Storytellers initiative, we’re honored to be able to work with Exceptional Minds to help neurodivergent talent build their technical and artistic abilities through their renowned academy and training studios.”

Other comments include David Siegel, executive director and CEO of Exceptional Minds, who told Variety that he hopes to see the funds go to an exploration of virtual production space to teach students how to work with real-time 3D Tools. He notes that students have already learned some basic foundations by training in programs like Unreal engine and SpeedTree. 

After the big reveal, Exceptional Mind Alumna Kate Jorgensen was also surprised to receive an honorary certificate of graduation to symbolize her complication of the program, after leaving early to work on the Nick Jr show “Santiago of the Seas.” She is now the production coordinator of the series, while also co-leading the effort to start an alumni program.

When speaking on her award she said, I had no hope and I had no confidence; I had no hope for my future, I had no confidence in myself, I went to Exceptional Minds and it restored both and more.”