The Disability Screen Office (DSO) and the National Screen Institute (NSI) announced Tuesday they are partnering to develop a program that will formalize a new managerial-level role dedicated to integrating accessibility into TV and film productions of all sizes across Canada.
Called the Production Accessibility Role Initiative (or ProdAccess for short), the program is supported by the Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates and the City of Toronto.
“Professionals trained through this program will work with productions to identify and remove barriers to access for staff, cast, and crew, ensuring accessibility is embedded from the earliest planning stages to the final edit,” a DSO press release says.
The initiative builds on the success of production accessibility coordinators in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and France, the press release says, adding the DSO and NSI are elevating this role to the managerial level in Canada, “giving it greater decision-making power and influence throughout the entire lifecycle of a production.”
Trained through the ProdAccess program, production accessibility professionals will: influence decisions on hiring, location, budget and scheduling to ensure inclusivity and access; collaborate with key creatives to develop and maintain accessibility plans; deliver tailored accessibility training to production teams based on their specific needs; act as a trusted contact for self-identification and accommodation requests; create accessible environments by reviewing budgets, floor plans and locations; and manage accommodations such as American Sign Language interpreters, transportation options and document accessibility.
Starting in early 2026, the DSO and NSI will recruit a small cohort of disabled creatives to undertake comprehensive training in accessibility, budget management, human resources and production, equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed as production accessibility professionals, the press release says. As part of the training program, the DSO and NSI will coordinate on-set placements to give trainees practical experience in the role.
In spring 2026, the DSO and NSI will host an online Production Accessibility Symposium, where attendees will learn more about this role in Canada, hear about best practices in production accessibility from the DSO’s and NSI’s colleagues abroad, and meet the ProdAccess program’s first cohort of disabled creatives. The DSO said further details about the symposium will be shared in early 2026.
To help the screen industry connect with trained production accessibility professionals, the DSO will publish a list of ProdAccess program alumni on its Industry Resource Hub upon completion of the training program.
“Representation isn’t authentic if disabled creatives are excluded from the production process itself. By removing barriers, we open the door for untapped talent to thrive and contribute to the growth of our industry. That’s why the Disability Screen Office is working hard to provide tools, resources, and training to help the screen sector embed accessibility at every stage of content production,” Winnie Luk, DSO executive director, said in the press release.
“Alongside the Industry Resource Hub and our other programs, the Production Accessibility Role Initiative has the potential to create a profoundly positive impact in our sector, changing how things are done from the very beginning of a project. We are especially delighted to partner with the NSI, whose extensive experience in delivering training programs strengthens this initiative, and we are deeply grateful to our funders for believing in and supporting this program,” Luk said.
“Accessibility must be built into the foundation of how we create our stories and advance our industry. The Production Accessibility Role Initiative is an important step toward creating an equitable future for the screen sector,” said Christine Kleckner, executive director of the National Screen Institute, in a statement. “We are pleased to be working with the DSO to bring this initiative to action. As a nationwide training organization, we’re committed to creating sets where all talent can thrive, and where the diversity of Canada’s communities is reflected both on and off screen.”
Photos of (l-r) Winnie Luk, DSO executive director, and Christine Kleckner, NSI executive director, courtesy of the Disability Screen Office
