Findings of a new report published today reveal serious inadequacies in accessibility for disabled professionals across the UK’s filming facilities and studios.
The report from Underlying Health Condition, the new disability pressure group announced by writer Jack Thorne at the Edinburgh Television Festival, found no single facilities company can provide a fully accessible unit base. The results were published on International Day of Disabled Persons at an event at London’s Tate Modern and aim to highlight the many issues and barriers to work for those in the disabled community.
Of the survey results, Jack said: “One of the biggest findings from both surveys is that disabled access is simply not thought about; it is not planned for or integrated into the structure and design of our spaces and that has got to change.”
The survey was sent to studios and industry companies with half of those responding unable to make their fleet accessible while just one facilities company responded confirming they had an accessible toilet facility. Jack added: “Not having a safe space to work, nor the facilities needed to carry out our creative roles, down to the nitty gritty of not even having the most basic of human rights, an accessible toilet!”
The founders of Underlying Health Condition hope the publication of the report will provide a blueprint for meaningful change and industry leaders adopt practices to improve working conditions for disabled professionals. The full report can be read here .
The results reinforce ScreenSkills’ commitment to building on the training we currently offer disabled talent and to help industry better understand what it can do to play our role in addressing these problems. Existing courses work in collaboration with industry professionals and organisations like thinkBigger! to help productions and hiring companies understand the need of disabled workers and improve conditions across the screen industries.
Training currently available include:
Neurodiversity: flexibility of thought in TV
Mastering the art of matte painting in film for disabled crew
Mastering the technique of compositing in film for disabled crew
Supporting neurodiverse trainees
Disability awareness in association with thinkBIGGER!
Equality and inclusion essentials... with Addie Orfila
The ScreenSkills training and opportunities directory is updated with the latest courses at regular intervals.