First-of-its-kind role to advance accessibility in Canadian screen industry

The Disability Screen Office and the National Screen Institute are launching a program in which professionals will work with film and TV productions to ensure accessibility on set.

The Production Accessibility Role Initiative will train creatives with disabilities to help identify and remove barriers for staff, cast and crew.

Alethea Bakogeorge, the Disability Screen Office’s director of programs, says the organization is working with unions, guilds and industry associations to ensure the role fits smoothly within Canadian film and TV productions and gets broad support.

While the role won’t be mandatory, she says her office hopes it will eventually become an industry standard.

In early 2026, a small group will be hired for in-depth training in accessibility, production management, budgeting and HR, preparing them to work as Production Accessibility professionals.

Training will be funded by the Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates and the City of Toronto. Productions would pay for the integration of this role into their projects.

The Disability Screen Office is a non-profit launched in 2022 with the goal of eliminating accessibility barriers in the Canadian screen industry.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 21, 2025.