Overview of the role
Access coordinators (ACs) are specialists working within the film, TV, and creative industries. They support productions to identify and remove potential and actual barriers to access for all staff, cast, crew and/or contributors, to increase the representation of deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent (DDN) people in TV.
ACs enable an “access first” approach, applying the values of the social model of disability and the 5As. ACs work in different ways according to the requirements of the production and/or the DDN people involved. They usually work on a part time basis but can be full time if required. ACs may work partially remotely or based within the production office, studio, location or edit.
ACs work across all stages of a production, from development, recruitment, casting, filming, edit, to broadcast/release and associated marketing and events, to advise how all stages of production can be accessible and inclusive.
Access coordinators are most effective when brought on to the production at greenlight. Embedding an access coordinator early on and working with them throughout allows accessible solutions to be built into the production from the outset, rather than retrospectively trying to fit access on to inaccessible spaces or environments. This can save time and money in the long run and means that DDN cast, crew and/or contributors can be brought on at any point in the production.
ACs do not make budgetary decisions, act as a support worker e.g. BSL interpreter – these are dedicated roles that require expert training - deliver training, provide legal, medical or psychological counsel or evaluation, or advise on editorial matters. They are, however, well placed to connect teams with the relevant professionals for these roles.
ACs have demonstrable evidence of access-based training, are solution focused and are responsible for liaising with and across all departments to ensure that access requirements are met. They have lived experience of being DDN and expertise in facilitating access. The role requires an understanding and awareness of DDN barriers and best practice to overcome them.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of the production.
- Liaise with all departments to advise where equipment, facilities, recruitment processes and locations can be accessible from the outset
- Advise on the suitability of facilities/equipment
- Work with all talent to highlight any access requirements through access passports/riders and work with individual departments to advise on proposed solutions as an ongoing process, while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Build a bank of materials to let all staff, cast, crew and/or contributors know who the AC is and how people can get in touch with them to discuss their own access requirements
- Read scripts to help anticipate access requirements of those on screen
- Advise production teams where they can undertake access training and connect with DDN networks with lived experience
- Work with the production team to advise on the production’s access protocols and strategies, including attending recces to build a basic assessment of locations (offices, accommodation, changing rooms, toilets, studios/sets/stage builds, shooting locations and edits, etc.)
- To be point of contact for all DDN talent throughout the entire production process, including urgent access requirements - this means facilitating the access between the individual and production, allowing talent to focus on their role and not their own advocacy
- Review the access that has been put into place and, where relevant, how these can be improved
- Direct colleagues to services that are outside of the AC role (e.g. wellbeing and mental health services)
- Work with HR and health and safety teams to discuss how access requirements can be implemented safely and without causing harm
- Where possible, relay changes to schedule or locations in an accessible way
- Advise on sourcing accessible materials, facilities or essential people where required (e.g. Easy Reads, BSL interpreters, support workers, accessible travel and hotel options, accessible trailers, ramp hire)
- Facilitate access for post-production staff, including the building of individual access passports/riders
- Advise on how to find accessible suites for edits, ADR sessions etc
- Advise on accessible hotel and travel solutions for those involved in post-production
- Advise production on how access requirements can be met for the wrap party, awards ceremonies, press tours etc
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills, and attributes for the role of access coordinator.
- Has had disability access / access coordinator training or has hands-on experience of being an AC and can practically apply the four pillars of access: Physical, Sensory, Communication and Cognitive, and the 5As: Anticipate, Ask, Assess, Adjust and Advocate
- Has lived experience as a DDN person, of the DDN community and facilitating access
- Has firm knowledge and understanding of applying GDPR, Equality Act requirements and Access to Work provision
- Knowledge of how to build, communicate and implement different access riders/access passports
- Be open and approachable and must actively listen to the needs of both the person with access requirements and the needs of the production to come up with useful solutions
- Maintain a good list of resources for accessible materials, facilities, training providers, etc
- Has good links with DDN talent, DDN-led organisations and networks and stays abreast of the work TAP and other disabled-led organisations are doing to make the industry more accessible and utilises this knowledge
- Is committed to the Social Model of disability, focusing on fostering a culture of inclusion across the whole production
- Proactive, decisive and confident in their ability to advocate for others; they are able to build and manage relationships, delegate and demonstrate leadership as well as work in a team
- An understanding of the screen industries and different stages of production
- Strong organisational, planning, admin and record-keeping skills
- Manages their own time well, is computer literate and handles personal information with care, integrity and sensitivity
- Clear communication and negotiation skills and refers up as required
- Represents their production, producer, and client in a professional and positive manner with both internal and external stakeholders
- Logistical and creative problem-solving: assisting with resolving access issues during production
- Resilience and enthusiasm: adapt positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met
- Demonstrates the drive and commitment to get things done in pressurised situations and escalates appropriately when necessary
- Ethics and integrity: honest and principled in their actions and interactions, demonstrating a clear commitment to inclusion and accessibility
- Accountability: Accountable for ensuring their own productivity and reviewing the effectiveness and accessibility of the recommendations they have made
- Flexibility: open to working flexibly with the changing needs of the production and the access needs of those they are working with
Acknowledgements
This checklist has been created in consultation with Steph Lacey and was supported by the TV Access Project.