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Prospector Theater[edit]
The Prospector Theater is a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing inclusive employment to people with disabilities through the operation of a movie theater and online popcorn business in Ridgefield, Connecticut[1]. It was founded in November 2014 by Valerie Jensen. Jensen received a bachelor's degree in English from the University at Albany in 1996 and a master's degree in elementary and special education at Binghamton University in 1998[2]. At the Prospector Theater, approximately 75% of the workforce, known as Prospects, self-identify with a disability[3]. Prospects work a wide range of jobs at the Theater, including selling tickets, popping popcorn, hosting events, landscaping, marketing, strategic planning, graphic design, grant writing, baking, data analytics, and more. Workers also learn to make commercials and promotional ads at an on-site classroom that are screened before each showing[4].
In addition to the theater's four screening rooms, the Prospector also features a cafe and restaurant, art installations, and lobby games such as foosball.
Accessible Employment[edit]
According to 2022 data released by the U.S Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for persons with disabilities was nearly twice as high as the rate for persons without disabilities.[5] This finding is reflected in an earlier study published by the Industrial & Labor Relations Review in 2018. The authors conducted a field experiment by sending job applications to over 6,000 accounting positions for which applicants' disabilities were unlikely to impact productivity. The disability applications received 26% fewer expressions of employer interest[6]. Research and government statistics also report that, when hired, persons with disabilities have lower employment wages and benefits as well as limited opportunities for career advancement[7].
Accessibility Features[edit]
The Prospector Theater is equipped with accessibility features including C-Pen readers, sensory screenings, closed caption cup holder devices, Braille labelers, and integrated companion seating[8]. An exploratory study conducted in 2016 analyzed the disability accommodations available in United States movie theater chains and found that, although offered, many accommodations were not listed online[9]. The Prospector emphasizes that ensuring every movie screened is accessible to everyone is a priority.
Awards & Recognition[edit]
The Prospector is the first of its kind and has received attention from media outlets such as NBC Nightly News, NBC's Today Show, and The New York Times[2]. In 2017, the Prospector Theater received the Employer of the Year award from the state of Connecticut and the Autism Action Coalition[10]. Valerie Jensen, the Prospector's founder, is also the recipient of "The Spirit of Dr. King Community Service Award" from the town of Ridgefield for her efforts to enrich the lives of persons with disabilities[2].
References[edit]
- ^ "Prospector's Mission". Prospector Theater. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ a b c "2016_Jensen". www.alumni.albany.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "Prospector's Mission". Prospector Theater. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ Gorce, Tammy La (2015-09-10). "In Ridgefield, a Movie Theater With a Lofty Mission". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "Persons With A Disability: Labor Force Characteristics - 2022". Bureau of Labor Statistics. February 23, 2023.
- ^ Ameri, Mason; Schur, Lisa; Adya, Meera; Bentley, F. Scott; Mckay, Patrick; Kruse, Douglas (2018). "The Disability Employment Puzzle: A Field Experiment on Employer Hiring Behavior". ILR Review. 71 (2): 329–364. doi:10.1177/0019793917717474. ISSN 0019-7939. JSTOR 26955998. S2CID 154950445.
- ^ Yamamoto, Scott; Unruh, Deanne; Bullis, Michael (2011). "The viability of self-employment for individuals with disabilities in the United States: A synthesis of the empirical-research literature". Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 35 (2): 117–127. doi:10.3233/JVR-2011-0559.
- ^ Kilkenny, Katie (2020-03-05). "How One Movie Theater Has Led the Way on Hiring Staff With Disabilities". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ Kaufman-Scarborough, Carol (January 2019). "Publicly-Researchable Accessibility Information: Problems, Prospects and Recommendations for Inclusion". Gale Academic OneFile.
- ^ Boxoffice Magazine. May 2017.