Looking to expand on the inclusivity the industry has strived for over the past few years, especially in the post-strike environment, QueerCrip’s production company, IndieVISIBLE Entertainment, is announcing an expansion of its production accessibility training initiative with the launch of its Access Instigators program.
The Access Investigators program, announced last Friday, will be led by industry professionals with disabilities and tailored to crew and creators with disabilities. The program aims to foster careers in the field of “production accessibility,” which has recently gained attention in the film industry and promotes a more considerate production environment in the production process and space. The initiative was made possible with the support of the Pop Culture Collaborative Fund, a project supported by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
The eight-month pilot program will consist of up to 10 trainees with multiple disabilities and provide trainees with critical hard and soft skills to practice production accessibility in professional environments, from development to screening. The program will include one-on-one mentoring, community building and hands-on experience in the field, connecting trainees with community and industry leaders and preparing them for successful careers in the media industry.
“Creators with disabilities have long been at the forefront of incorporating accessibility into the production process,” IndieVISIBLE said in a statement. “In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent union strikes, the industry as a whole is beginning to recognize that the need for change goes beyond just people with disabilities. Production accessibility benefits all cast, crew and creators by fostering an environment where they can create groundbreaking content and have safe, sustainable careers. Hiring a production accessibility role is an important step toward a more compassionate and inclusive industry.”
IndieVISIBLE was founded in 2018 as a production company led by QueerCrip. It is dedicated to creating a safe and accessible space to tell LGBTQ+/disability stories through subversive genre and experimental media projects. Recent work includes Apple TV+’s 2023 Emmy-nominated family comedy “Best Foot Forward” and “Patrice: The Movie,” a documentary romantic comedy spotlighting disability rights activist Patrice Jeter. The latter film will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Aiming to set a new industry standard, IndieVISIBLE’s projects are centered around accessibility, authenticity, and human well-being.
Applications for Access Instigators are open until September 10th. More information and how to apply can be found here.