12 candidates have been welcomed onto the ScreenSkills high-end TV (HETV) access coordinator training to form a new cohort of the pioneering programme. Developed by the HETV Skills Fund and delivered by disabled-led partnering organisation TripleC, with support by DDPTV, Access All Areas and Brazen Productions, the programme aims to make the TV industry more accessible to all and especially to deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent (DDN) cast and crew.
The programme was created in direct response to a call from disabled-led organisations to provide the change needed and ensure that everyone’s access requirements are facilitated and placed at the centre of production spaces. Since its launch in 2021 the programme has supported 24 participants in their training and, from 2024, has created 14 job opportunities for new access coordinators to work in productions across the UK including Waterloo Road, Brassic, Riot Women and Brian & Margaret.
Kaye Elliott, Director of High-end TV Skills Fund, ScreenSkills, said: “Now in its third year and funded by producer contributions into the High-end TV Skills Fund, this programme provides skills investment to increase capacity of the crucial role of access coordinator. The role supports HETV productions across the UK deliver inclusive and accessible best practice. By addressing the needs of freelancers working on shows, access coordinators help create a more equitable environment. The work of this new cohort of 12 individuals is essential in fostering a culture of inclusivity within the industry for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent crew.”
Candidates will now undertake a course of bespoke training led by industry professionals TripleC. Over the course of 12 weeks, candidates will receive extensive training on how to provide support for different access requirements and develop the skills to facilitate these requirements on a working HETV environment. Following their training the cohort will be available for placements on HETV productions to put their training into practice.
Ant Lightfoot was part of the 2023/24 cohort. He said: “Training as an Access Coordinator with TripleC and ScreenSkills has been invaluable to my career development. It has skilled me up to do the essential work of embedding Access within the TV sector with great detail and support, as well as embedding access within the programme itself to provide any adjustments required to ensure participants of the training can thrive.
“It's provided me with opportunities to work professionally that I couldn't access previously, as well as providing me with essential skills needed to work in TV. Without this training, I wouldn't be where I am now. In a world that remains predominantly inaccessible, this training is so important. Access is a right, not a privilege and the more ACs we have trained and making those essential changes, the better. An Accessible future is possible, one Access Coordinator at a time.”
Fellow participant Sally Lisk-Lewis added: “I feel very privileged to have taken part in the programme, and have learnt a lot about accessibility, HETV, other people and myself actually. The training made me realise how important it is, to normalise conversations around people's access requirements - and open up - so that they can thrive within our sector. And my placement with 60Forty Films has also taught me that making work adjustments doesn't have to cost the earth. But the impact it can have on cast and crew - and the reassurance it brings - can be invaluable.”
TripleC’s AC programme lead Steph Lacey said: “We are delighted to be able to support and facilitate this new cohort of Access Coordinators. We’ve learned from the previous cohorts that this role is invaluable in making the industry more inclusive and accessible to all. The response to this role and the industry’s commitment to embedding ACs from the outset signals an exciting shift, and we look forward to supporting this new cohort to make meaningful change.”
The new candidates are:
Faith Alabi
Leah Blackaby
Krissi Bohn
Mikey Brett
Carrie Britton
Amy Coop
Jessica Gardner
Jacqueline Houston
Sarah McHarry
Claire-May Minett
Tiago Petrica
Ngozi (Goz) Ugochukwu