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Access Coordinator Resources

What is an Access Coordinator?

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

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-production as needed. It is a specialised role combining expert knowledge of film and TV production and experience in advising on adjustments and access provisions required for Deaf/Disabled or Neurodivergent (DDN) 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 is adopted on-set and that productions appropriately support DDN talent and crew. They can work with existing diversity and inclusion officers, complement existing resources/toolkits and enhance broader access training currently available.

Why does the film and TV industry need one?

Productions and Broadcasters are on a constant search for diverse talent and are keen to ensure that they know where to find (and retain) them to bring equity to the industry.

Employers are also in need of expert help to accommodate the adjustments that potentially 1 in 5 of their cast, crew and creatives expect as part of their Access Requirements. 

To encourage disclosure, aid support and to nurture the intersectionality of Disability, the Access Coordinator is a vital tool helps to find solutions to the barriers that exist in these industries. 

Our industry is struggling to find practical ways to follow through responsibly on their diversity intentions - the Access Coordinator is the first piece in the jigsaw of sustainable change and equity around Disability Representation both in-front and behind the camera.

How does an Access Coordinator support a production? 

An Access Coordinator works with the producer, production team, heads of department, crew members and cast to implement inclusion at every stage of production, from script development and casting to post-production and marketing.

SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT

  • Advising on the appropriate language for the era
  • Advising on practicalities of the scene appropriate to the Access Requirements

REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACTOR

  • Advising on safety and assessing risk alongside the production team, especially if stunts involved

WRITERS ROOM

  • Advising how to make the writers room experience accessible and inclusive
  • Adding specifics for any known Access Requirements
  • Assessing location and tech/creative plans for accessibility
  • Meeting ahead with DDN (deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent) writers to assess Access Requirements and adjustments

AUDITIONING

  • Advising the casting team/individual on how to make the casting process more accessible
  • Advising on specific Access Requirements for any individuals who have disclosed
  • Assessing building accessibility
  • Advising on wording for auditions/callouts and other communications
  • Advising on how to ensure documents are accessible
  • Advising on accessible videocall audition practices

HOD’s TEAMS

  • Advising and supporting HODs when looking for diverse and DDN crew
  • Advising where to advertise to attract the DDN community
  • Advice on wording for jobs to be advertised
  • Advising on how to accommodate Access Requirements for interviews
  • Sitting in on interviews if required

PRE-PRODUCTION

  • Attending production meetings either in person or on Zoom to introduce the role of AC
  • Providing toolkit including easy-read call sheet, language and etiquette documents for production
  • Working with all HODs to advise and support inclusive practices
  • Working with the stunt team and all other departments
  • Working with the production team around travel and accommodation to ensure accessibility
  • Providing AC support for all disclosing individuals, feeding back to production with a report and overseeing adjustments when put in place
  • Advising on wording for call sheets and other documentation for accessibility
  • Advising on locations and studios for accessibility
  • Advising on where to find DDN-specific equipment for loan/hire/buy
  • Advising on Auslan interpreters when required and how to find them, in addition to finding international interpreters where required
  • Suggesting and supporting production in finding and mandating Disability training for the team
  • Supporting production with any issues arising around DDN discrimination
  • Working with Human Resources and Health & Safety representatives advising on specifics when appropriate
  • Advising on fire evacuation plans and guiding and working with the appropriate team.

FILMING

  • Being on set for the first day or as necessary for any DDN actor
  • Advising on how to make a set/shoot accessible
  • If appropriate staying in the same hotel as any DDN actors to ensure accommodations are appropriate
  • Advising director as appropriate in working with actors who have Access Requirements

POST-PRODUCTION

  • Advising on how to make the process accessible for DDN staff and encouraging production to bring post-production crew into the process
  • Providing access coordinator support to anyone disclosing
  • Advising on building accessibility

MARKETING & PRESS

  • If a DDN actor is in place advising on language for Press and best practice for Comms
  • If appropriate attend press junkets and screenings to support any DDN talent

How To Work With An Access Coordinator (Webinar)

WHERE TO FIND AN ACCESS COORDINATOR

In October 2023, Screen Australia delivered an Access Coordinator Training Program which trained up and supported 12 individuals in the role of Access Coordinator. 

A list of the 12 participants who were trained up as Access Coordinators can be found here.

Screen Australia’s Access Coordinator Training Program was 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)

Additional Resources:

Information about the Employment Assistance Fund can be found here.