Following the recommendations from the Underlying Health Condition pressure group, this course has been designed to train 12 people as accessibility coordinators to support productions in hiring and working with disabled talent and crew. It will also support disabled professionals in HETV, ensuring that they can work effectively, safely and with dignity in the workplace.
Working with existing diversity officers and heads of department, they will be dedicated to managing the logistics of an inclusive production.
The course with Bridge06 will de delivered in short modules, both online and in person, in July and August and will cover the basics of production from an access POV, as well as teaching them how to advocate for and on behalf of deaf, disabled and neurodivergent cast and crew, from greenlight to post, on set and off.
This course is  supported by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund with contributions from UK high-end TV productions.
Who it’s for
This free training for the new role of accessibility coordinator would be perfect for people who have at least 2 years experience in scripted production and are committed to improving disability representation in high end television.
As part of our aim to encourage diversity and inclusivity in the screen industries, we welcome applicants of all abilities and particularly those who have lived experience of disability or who are from (or are immersed in) the deaf, disabled or neurodivergent communities.
What it covers
The training will be delivered as 8 modules over 8 weeks between 4 July and 26 August, in both live and in 2 hour online sessions with the final day taking place in person on the set of a drama production.
The course will cover:
- the basics of production from an access POV
- how to support deaf, disabled and neurodivergent cast and crew on set and off, from greenlight to post.
- how to provide direction and support around content, production base, studio and locations
- how to work with heads of department, crew and talent to help them remove barriers to access.
About ScreenSkills’ trainers
Julie Fernandez is a disabled actress, presenter and an award-winning documentary maker of 30 years.  She has worked across the media spectrum in film, TV and radio across a range of genres and works as an access coordinator for businesses and productions
Sara Johnson is an experienced exec producer in TV drama, having worked as a commissioner at Sky and Fox and in senior roles at indies. She founded the company Bridge06 in late 2021, formalising her advocacy and family care experience. She is committed to improving the representation of deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent across the entertainment industries.
“We are excited to hear from all the applicants we know are out there, ready to take on the important role of accessibility coordinator in production.  We believe the Industry is ready and we can’t wait to train our ‘Ambassadors for Change’. We both feel very privileged to be working with Screenskills and the disability community to bring this role into HETV drama” said Sara Johnson, exec producer and founder Bridge06.
Sign up here.
