Accessibility

Consulting

Whether you’re producing a film, hosting an international festival, or running a cultural venue, accessibility needs to be built into your planning from day one. I help film festivals, arts organizations, and production teams build sustainable, human-centered access roadmaps that welcome every audience member, artist, and crew member.

My Story

My path into accessibility consulting began as the Operations Manager for the Chicago International Film Festival, where I was tasked with establishing the festival’s foundational accessibility policies. My goal was to welcome people with disabilities to attend screenings, submit their films, and join our staff.

To build programs grounded in best practices, I collaborated directly with access experts. I utilized resources from FWD-DOC, the Film Event Accessibility Working Group, and independent access coordinators. I also attended the LEAD Conference in 2024.

Since then, I’ve brought accessibility strategies to life for major cultural events, including SXSW, the Chicago Humanities Festival, the Independent Film Exhibition Conference (IND/EX), and numerous fundraisers and community events.

Current Leadership & Advisory Roles

  • Accessibility Advisor | Film Festival Alliance (FFA): I host the FFA webinar series “A Seat at the Table,” reframing access as a core element of hospitality and highlighting its real human impact. FFA members can also book one-on-one office hours with me for direct guidance.

  • Steering Committee Member | Cultural Access Collaborative: Supporting Illinois cultural spaces through professional development workshops, an accessible equipment loan program, and community access initiatives.

How We Can Work Together

Event Management

Whether you are planning a film festival, fundraiser, or the day-to-day operations of a cultural space, access policies need to be integrated from the start. I have experience working with both non-profit and for profit organizations, so I can help develop policies at any budget level.

  • Operations & Policy Design: Strategic recommendations across ticketing, venue layout, marketing, and programming.

  • Service Coordination: On-site management of ASL interpretation, CART/captioning, audio description, and quiet spaces.

  • Staff & Volunteer Training: Empowering your front-of-house and event teams with practical accessibility etiquette and tools.

  • Sustainable Roadmaps: Phased growth plans tailored to your organization’s size and budget.

Film & Theater Production

Authentic representation on screen begins behind the camera. Accessibility coordination starts in pre-production and continues straight through to post-production and distribution.

  • Pre-Production: Recommendations on authentic representation, access budgeting, and accessibility audit location scouting

  • On-Set Access: Creating accessible, inclusive sets and workflows for disabled filmmakers, cast, and crew.

  • Post-Production Deliverables: Overseeing high-quality captions, open/closed caption workflows, and audio description track creation.

  • Festival Strategy for Filmmakers: Guiding directors and producers on how to advocate for accessible screenings during their festival run.

Let’s build something accessible together!

No matter where you are on your accessibility journey, I’m here to help you take the next step.

No budget for consultation?

Reach out to me anyways! I would love to make recommendations on my favorite resources and self-guided education.