A photo of Bridie McKim is on the left. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a black singlet. On the right, white text on a black background reads: ‘Screen Access and Inclusion Masterclass’ beside an image of a film reel.
For many years, the Australian screen industry has voiced a need to address attitudinal barriers and enhance diversity and inclusion. In response, Accessible Arts has developed a disability-led Screen Access and Inclusion Masterclass program. As the peak arts and disability organisation in NSW, Accessible Arts has worked in consultation with screen professionals with lived experience of disability to develop this masterclass program. The course has been developed by screen actor and NIDA graduate Bridie McKim, in consultation with an expert Screen Access Advisory Group including Emily Dash, Sofya Gollan and Anthea Williams. This initiative has been made possible by Screen NSW with support from Screenworks, the Arts and Cultural Exchange, Showcast, Queer Screen, AFTRS, Sydney Film Festival, Screen Producers Australia and the Australian Writers’ Guild. In 2018, Masterclass Facilitator Bridie McKim became the first actor with disability to play a lead role on Australian television, as Sabine in ‘The Heights’. To help address the significant demand for increased diversity and authentic representation across the screen industry, Bridie will facilitate online and in-person masterclasses designed for screen practitioners with disability or who are d/Deaf. The Screen Access Masterclass program has been designed to address barriers and boost accessibility confidence through the provision of practical guides, achievable solutions and shareable resources. It covers knowledge about navigating the screen industry including how to write and submit access riders, how to confidently and effectively communicate access requirements on-set, and identifying and implementing reasonable adjustments. “We’re really excited to be offering this expert training and professional development for screen practitioners with disability or who are d/Deaf,” says Accessible Arts CEO Liz Martin. “It provides a safe space for navigating potentially difficult discussions about accessibility and will help enable significant, sustainable and much-needed industry change through enhanced understanding and confidence regarding sector access and inclusion.” Screen Access Masterclasses are free however places are limited, and bookings are essential. Where and When: Wednesday 5 April 10.30am – 12pm at the Accessible Arts Training Room, The Rocks Sydney Thursday 27 April 10.30am – 12pm at the Arts and Cultural Exchange, Parramatta Wednesday 24 May 10.30am – 12pm Online For more details and to book into a masterclass, visit https://aarts.net.au/news/screen-access-masterclass/ Suggested Social Media – Please tag Accessible Arts Facebook @AccessibleArts Instagram @aartsnsw Twitter @accessiblearts Book a FREE professional development Masterclass with Bridie McKim. In 2018, Bridie McKim became the first actor with disability to play a lead role on Australian television, as Sabine in ‘The Heights’. Together with screen industry experts with lived experience of disability, Bridie has developed a 90-minute Masterclass for Screen Practitioners with Disability designed to boost confidence through acquiring practical knowledge about navigating the screen industry, understanding your rights and responsibilities and writing and submitting access riders. Screen Access Masterclasses will be held in person and online. Limit of 20 people per session. Captioning and Auslan interpretation are available upon request. Training venues are wheelchair accessible. For details and to book your place, visit https://aarts.net.au/news/screen-access-masterclass/ This Accessible Arts initiative has been made possible through the support of Screen NSW.