Screen Australia

  • Search Keywords

  • Year

  • Production Status

  • Genre

  • Co-production

  • SA Supported

  • First Nations Creative

  • Length

  • Technique

Access Coordinator Training Program

Screen Australia is excited to partner on an initiative designed to train and support up to 12 individuals in the role of Access Coordinator. 

The Access Coordinator role is intended for people from the Deaf/Disabled and/or Neurodivergent (DDN) communities who are committed to improving disability representation and removing barriers to inclusion.

An emergent crew role worldwide, Access Coordinators play a vital part in increasing and sustaining ongoing inclusion of diverse DDN talent in the screen industries.

This initiative will be delivered in partnership with New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), the state agencies; Screen Queensland, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory, Screenwest, VicScreen, the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), Screen ACT, Screen NSW and the Australian Film Television Radio School (AFTRS)

What support is available?

If you require this information in an accessible format such as:

  • Word document version (available to download on right side of screen)
  • Audio and closed captioning
  • Auslan Guidelines including voiceover and subtitles available here

or if you require this information in another language, you can contact us on +61 2 8113 5800 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. 

National Relay Service

The National Relay Service (NRS) is an Australia-wide phone service for people who are deaf, have hearing impairment and or speech impairment and people wanting to communicate with them. 

Contact us through the NRS and quote our number +61 2 8113 5800 (Sydney office) or +61 3 8682 1900 (Melbourne office). For help making relay calls, contact the NRS helpdesk.

The Access Coordinator role

The Access Coordinator is a Below the Line crew role that works with film and television production to ensure that access and adjustments are implemented so that everyone can give their best work on set. 

An Access Coordinator can (ideally) be engaged as early as development, but will typically be engaged at greenlight/pre-preproduction, through to production and post as needed. It is a specialised role bringing expert knowledge of film and TV production, as well as experience in advocating for adjustments and access provisions required for Deaf/Disabled or Neurodivergent talent in front of, and/or behind the camera. 

Working with the producer, heads of department, crew members and cast, Access Coordinators ensure best practice can be adopted on set and that productions value hiring DDN talent. They can work with existing diversity and inclusion officers, complement existing resources/toolkits and broader access training currently on offer.

Access Coordinator Training Program Overview

The Access Coordinator Training Program will be held in Sydney from Monday 30 October to Friday 3 November 2023.

The program will be an immersive training course running in short modules in person over five (5) days and includes an on-set practical training module.   

The course will take a barrier removal approach.  It will cover standard production processes, identify where common access barriers may arise and how to advocate for and on behalf of DDN cast and crew, from greenlight to post, on set, and off.

Participants will receive best practice training and standard working templates from world leading experts Bridge 06. A toolkit for producers will be available to support the industry as it embraces the role of Access Coordinator. 

Access Coordinators will be supported for the following 6 months as they transition into working in the role. 

Who CAN APPLY?

To be eligible for this program, applicants must:

  • be Australian citizens or residents and meet Screen Australia's Terms of Trade 
  • be aged 18+
  • Preference will be given to applicants with a minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience working in the Australian screen industry. This can be in TV or film production (including as an actor), and we may consider those who have transferable skills from other areas. This can include production experience in theatre and the arts, but equally there may be relevant skills that may have gained whilst working or volunteering in other media or entertainment sectors.
  • Identify as a person living with disability; Deaf/Disabled and/or Neurodivergent (DDN)

    Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that defines disability as:

    Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments, which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. This includes chronic illness and other hidden disabilities.

Those eligible to apply through the above eligibility requirements must also:

  • Be available for an interview on Monday 11 or Tuesday 12 September, 2023 if shortlisted; and
  • Be available for, and commit to the full duration of the workshop program dates 30 October to 3 November 2023.

Screen Australia is committed to supporting all participants to meet their access requirements if invited to attend an interview online and, if selected, during their involvement in the workshop. We’re also committed to providing support to the participants for six months as part of a peer group for the trained access coordinators.

Successful applicants will be provided with the following:

Participants will receive a practical guide and standard working templates to facilitate the Access Coordinator role on set.

Successful applicants that are travelling interstate will be able to receive funding for travel and accommodation to participate in the workshop.

WHEN AND HOW CAN APPLICATIONS BE MADE?

Applications close 5pm AEST on Thursday 24 August 2023. 

We encourage applicants to complete and submit the relevant application form through our secure online grants system, made via the Screen Australia application portal.

However, Applicants to this program may be able to submit their proposals in a format accessible to them, e.g. submitting a video or word document. Please contact Program Operations on 1800 507 901 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday to ensure we receive your application if you are not applying via Smartygrants.

The following materials are required for application:

  • fully completed application form including contact details and confirmation of eligibility: and
  • CV/Biography (maximum 2 pages); and,
  • An outline of your experience of working in the screen industry; and 

A personal statement that includes:

  • Why you wish to apply to this program?
  • How the opportunity supports your career goals and trajectory?
  • Outline any access requirements you need for attending an interview online.

How are applications assessed?

Complete and eligible applications will be considered and reviewed by Screen Australia executives and/or industry specialists against the assessment criteria listed below.

Assessment Criteria

Funding decisions will be made against the following criteria:

  • the strength of the applicant’s credits and suitability for the opportunity;
  • appropriateness of motivation of the applicant for the opportunity; and,
  • the perceived experience and knowledge of the applicant pertinent to the activity.

We aim to make the application and assessment processes as transparent as possible, but given the volume of applications we receive, we may not have the resources to provide extensive feedback on each proposal.

Screen Australia will advise applicants of the outcome of their application in writing by 22 September 2023.

If you are unsure about your eligibility or have questions about the application form, please email us at Industry or call Program Operations on 1800 507 901. Please note that we are not able to provide creative advice or suggestions to strengthen your application.

Additional Information

Screen Australia has partnered with Bridge06, an Agency & Consultancy working to bring an Access First Approach to the Media & Entertainment Industries. for more information visit the Bridge06 website. 

Training Program Facilitators

Julie Fernandez
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 - UK.

Sara Johnson
Sara Johnson is an experienced Exec Producer in TV drama, having worked as a commissioner at Sky & 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 / or neurodivergent talent across the entertainment industries – UK.

Sofya Gollan
Writer and director Sofya Gollan is an award-winning filmmaker and a graduate from both NIDA and AFTRS. Her career spans a number of disciplines, as an actor she is best known for being on Play School for over 30 years, normalising Disability onscreen well before it was recognised as essential representation. She is also a playwright and has been a Griffin Playwrights Studio Resident. As a filmmaker she has been nominated for 4 AFI/ACCTA Awards (Best Screenplay and Best Director) for her films which have screened extensively here and internationally. She leverages 20+ years’ experience to advocate for diversity inclusion, implementing cultural change and representation of diverse content on screen. She is a leader in the design and delivery of disability-led screen programs and works in leadership roles across the screen, arts and disability sector in Australia in Australia.