Recommended Practices
There are many organisations doing excellent work to make cinema, film and TV accessible to D/deaf and disabled audiences, and we aim to help filmmakers and film institutions navigate these by providing a list of recommended practices, guides and resources.
Accessibility: Reports, Toolkits, Guides and More
Accessibility Checklist (FEAW) — Aid for organizations identify areas for growth in film event accessibility.
Accessibility Guide 2024 (Underground Music Showcase) — Full accessibility guide for events.
Accessibility In Cinemas: How Wheelchair Friendly Are Cinemas? Reflections By A Wheelchair User
The Audio Description Project — Provides a wealth of information about audio description, including a list of audio-described films.
The Accessible Filmmaking Guide (Dr. Pablo Romero-Fresco of University of Roehampton; Dr Louise Fryer of BBC and UCL) — A comprehensive resource on accessible and inclusive filmmaking practices and processes.
Inclusive Cinema Project (BFI Film Audience Network) — Accessibility service recommendations, guides, research, and training information.
Inclusive Event Design (Google) — Supports creating inclusive and accessible events for attendees who request accommodations, and those who may not due to perceived stigma.
How To Make Your Website Accessible — Guide for gamers and has many resources for filmmakers.
Accessibility in Gaming Resource Guide (Jennifer Kretchmer)
Checking PDFs for Accessibility — Quick guide for checking accessibility of PDFs.
Consultants and Services for Accessibility and Inclusion
DisCourse — A consulting and coaching group dedicated to helping businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations craft comprehensive strategies of accessibility and inclusion. DisCourse helps multiple types of communities create standards of accessibility that move beyond ADA compliance. This work is informed by findings and experiences associated with DisArt and its public programming.
FEAW Vendor Database — An expanding list of great film access vendors.
LaVant Consulting — A social impact communications firm that offers cutting-edge corporate development and content marketing for brands and nonprofits.
Employing Disabled Creatives
Share opportunities with FWD-Doc — Share job opportunities, speaker/panelist opportunities, consultant requests, or other career or funding-related opportunities with our members by sending details about the opportunities to hello@fwd-doc.org. We are currently creating talent and expert databases, and we look forward to announcing them in due course.
When sharing an opportunity, please include:
Clear and accessible job descriptions and contact info
A summary of commitment to accessibility and inclusion from the company or production
Information about whom to contact to request accommodations from the company or production.
Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education — Provides creatives with disabilities customized training and employment services to acquire necessary skills to assist them in securing careers within the entertainment industry earning a competitive wage.
Accessibility in Production
Production Accessibility Coordinators
IndieVisible — Provide production accessibility coordinator services, captioning, audio description, subtitles, and consulting on accessibility and web accessibility.
FEAW Vendor Database — An expanding list of great film access vendors.
Budgeting for Accessibility
Inevitable Foundation — Provide accessibility budget templates, calculators, and consulting to companies on budgeting for accessibility.
For Film Institutions and Exhibitors
Full Spectrum Feature's Access Reframed Educational Webinars
Independent Cinema Office’s Guide To Subtitling and Audio Description
Inclusive Cinema: Guides To Subtitling, BSL and Audio Description services (UK)
Independent Cinema Office: 5 ways to make your venue more accessible for D/deaf people
How To Talk About Disability
The National Center on Disability and Journalism Style Guide.
Media Representation of Disabled People: A Critical Analysis
Disability Justice