Broadcasters, indies and freelancers will be able to check if studios and post-houses have taken steps to improve accessibility by using a new checklist.
The Access Description Checklist, which launches today, has been drawn up by Creative Diversity Network (CDN) and the TV Access Project (TAP).
Facilities that have completed a review of their accessibility will receive a certificate and will be listed on a publicly-available hub, as well as sharing details on their own websites.
It builds on TAP's Production Buildings Audit Checklist, which launched in December 2023.
Studios that joined that list, and pledged to prioritise disability training and appoint an access lead, include Sky Studios Elstree, Dock10 in Manchester and Wolf Studios Wales in Cardiff.
CDN chief executive Miranda Wayland said the two organisations have “a unique opportunity to drive real, structural change”.
She added: “This is more than just improving access; it’s about collaboration, innovation and collective accountability transforming our industry into a space where talent is recognised for its creativity and expertise, not limited by unnecessary obstacles.”
TAP project lead Eri Beaton said: “Understanding accessibility of our spaces – and communicating that to the talent working in them – is the first step in creating inclusive and accessible work environments.
“By completing the Access Description Checklist, which is linked to a publicly available list of organisations who have completed it, we will be able to help broadcasters and production companies work towards their goal to only produce content being made at facilities and studios who have committed to carrying out an accessibility review.”
TAP and CDN are offering free training courses on using the checklist in Bristol, Belfast, London, Manchester and Glasgow from this month.
Access to Work
Meanwhile, TAP is assessing the results of a six-month monitoring pilot of how Access to Work supports disabled freelancers.
Led by the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV and delivered by Medigold Health, the pilot set fast-tracked the process for assessing the access needs of the freelancers and provided adjustments and support to them and the production they were working on.
ITV head of diversity, equity and inclusion Sam Tatlow, who led the project on behalf of TAP, said: “Access to Work, and the support that it provides disabled people in work, is very often intrinsic to the success of that person’s career.
“Without the proper support, disabled people are often not able to develop and maintain meaningful careers.
“The pilot we worked on with BBC and C4 hoped to explore a short-term solution to this whilst we wait for the longer-term change to the Government policy.
The pilot allowed us to test out the process and explore the experience for both the disabled person and the production they were working on. The feedback so far has been positive from disabled people and the productions; with many mentioning the time between referral to assessment and then adjustments and support being in place as the most useful feature.”
