“Very useful – the day has and will inform policy and programme development at my venue.”
“Everything was fascinating. The whole day has been a real eye opener.”
“Excellent day. I’m going back full of ideas to make simple changes that will ensure our venue is more accessible.”
Do you want to ensure that your film screenings and events are welcoming for deaf and disabled audiences?
This essential training course will provide a wealth of practical information on making your venue or festival accessible. It has been devised by the Independent Cinema Office, in partnership with Shape, the UK’s leading disability arts organisation, with support from Skillset, Scottish Screen and Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Who is it for?
Staff of independent cinemas, film festivals, film societies, cross arts venues and screen agencies who work in the following roles:
- Programmers
- Audience development, marketing and communications staff
- Managers, administrators and operations staff
- Events staff
- Fundraisers.
What will the course cover?
- Disability equality – Core concepts and appropriate terminology
- The Disability Discrimination Act – What the law means for your organisation
- Customer care – Techniques that enable your front line staff to warmly and respectfully welcome deaf and disabled people
- Screening considerations – Assistive technologies and physical access in the auditorium
- Marketing – Practical guidance on producing accessible publicity materials
- Guest speakers – Case studies of a cinema and a festival who have initiated events for disabled people.
The course will run during the Edinburgh International Film Festival so you can stay around for the weekend to watch films. Register as an EIFF delegate at www.edfilmfest.org.uk/industry. Early Bird registration is available until 14 May and will ensure your details are included in the EIFF Industry Guide.
Trainer biography:
Jo Verrent has been a consultant in inclusion issues for over 20 years, working with arts organisations, local authorities, and Arts Council England. Jo regularly presents at conferences, including events in Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Serbia, and (often) London. She has run a wide range of highly successful events, including those on arts and mental health, the CPD of disabled people in the arts, audiences for disability-related work and on the needs of learning disabled artists. Jo won the national Cosmopolitan Woman of Achievement Award in 1999; and her village horticultural show’s award for ‘Best Preserve in Show’ in 2003 and 2004!
How much does it cost?
If you are based in Scotland:
20 free places are available to Scottish film exhibitors thanks to the support of Scottish Screen.
If you are based in the rest of the UK:
Five places are available to film exhibitors from the rest of the UK at £110 + VAT = £129.25 — this is a subsidised rate for UK film professionals thanks to the support of Skillset (unsubsidised fees are £418.20 + VAT). The fees include lunch, refreshments and networking drinks. Bursaries are available towards fees, travel and accommodation from the ICO and some of the screen agencies.
This course is funded by the Skillset Film Skills Fund, which is supported by the National Lottery through the UK Film Council and the film industry through the Skills Investment Fund. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries.
Shape is the UK’s largest arts development agency working with disabled and deaf people in the UK.
Scottish Screen is the national screen agency for Scotland with responsibility for developing all aspects of screen culture and industry across the country. We are a relatively small agency seeking to make a big impact which we do through close partnerships at local, regional, national and international levels across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
With thanks to Edinburgh International Film Festival.