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Disability Screen Office - DSO

@disabilityscreen

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Developing opportunities for disabled creatives and advocating for a more accessible Canadian screen industry. FR: @handicapecran

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It's here! The Disability Screen Office has officially launched "All-Access Pass: A Roadmap for Festival & Screen Industry Event Accessibility", a new free resource to help festivals and screen industry events identify and remove barriers to participation.

Developed through the DSO's Screen Festival Accessibility Program, All-Access Pass offers practical guidance for integrating accessibility into event planning, delivery, and evaluation.

The guide also includes a five-year roadmap to help organizations build accessibility over time, starting with achievable low-cost and no-cost measures and expanding their practices based on their resources, audiences, and operational realities.

The resource was developed with support from Telefilm Canada and informed by our multi-year work with Banff World Media Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Reelworld Film Festival, and Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.

Download the free guide today: dso-orphe.ca/all-access (link in our bio)

#AllAccessPass #Accessibility #DisabilityInclusion #FilmFestivals #ScreenIndustry #DSO #Inclusion Promotional graphic for All-Access Pass. Text reads: Now available! by @disabilityscreen

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a month ago

The DSO has officially released “Reframing Access: A Best Practices Guide on Disability Inclusion in Canada’s Screen Industry”, a free resource offering practical, step-by-step guidance on building accessibility into every stage of your workflow.

Download the guide: dso-orphe.ca/reframingaccess (link in our bio).

Reframing Access outlines common barriers faced by disabled creatives, shares strategies to remove them, and offers tools for planning accommodations, improving workplace practices, and fostering disability inclusion both above and below the line.

Whether you're a producer, writer, crew member, or industry leader, Reframing Access is your go-to resource for making accessibility a standard part of your work.

We’ll be hosting a virtual launch event celebrating the publication of our best practices guide on June 11, 2026, at 1 PM EDT (11 AM PDT / 2:30 PM NDT). Register now at dso-orphe.ca/guidelaunch (link in our bio).

Reframing Access was made possible thanks to lead support from Accessibility Standards Canada’s Advancing Accessibility Standards Research Program and the Canada Media Fund’s Sector Development Support program, with additional support from Rocket Fund Canada, Ontario Creates, Creative BC, Bell Fund and Picture NL.

#ReframingAccess #Accessibility #Disability #Inclusion Promotional graphic for Reframing Access. Text reads: "AVAILABLE NOW! Download the best practices guide for free at dso-orphe.ca/reframingaccess." The guide cover is displayed against a red background. by @disabilityscreen

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Our Executive Director Winnie Luk is joining the panel "Making Work Work" at the St. John's International Women's Film Festival Industry Forum on October 23.

The conversation will explore how accessible production practices and more sustainable ways of working can help create a more inclusive screen industry for disabled artists and caregivers, and what it takes to move those practices from the exception to the norm.

Moderated by educator and community advocate Ana Pitol, the panel will also feature Susie Burpee (Balancing Act Canada), Ophira Calof (Disabled Producers Lab), and Melanie Hoyes (British Film Institute).

Making Work Work
Friday, October 23 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. | Alt Hotel, St. John's
Industry accreditation required.

Learn more: womensfilmfestival.com/sjiwff37/making-work-work

#SJIWFF #SJIWFF37 #Accessibility #DSO #Disability #Inclusion Circular portrait of Winnie Luk smiling in a black-and-white patterned shirt, surrounded by colourful brushstrokes. Text identifies her as a panellist for "Making Work Work" at the 37th St. John's International Women's Film Festival. by @disabilityscreen

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2 days ago

“If I could change one thing about the film industry, it would be the pace.

For a long time, I thought the problem was that I wasn’t keeping up. Then COVID gave us the chance to experience what happens when the world slows down.

I remember thinking, “Oh. This is the right pace for me.”

There was more compassion, more patience, and more room to think. I felt creatively liberated. My first feature, which I was working on during that time, would have been a very different film without that spaciousness. We slowed down in the edit, connected as a team, and gave the film time to reveal itself.

Some projects genuinely need to move quickly. But it’s worth wondering what is lost when speed becomes the default. What might become possible if we slowed down enough to make room for other kinds of minds, bodies, and creative processes?

On that note, it’s been incredibly encouraging to see the DSO come into being. One of the most meaningful parts has been meeting other film professionals who, like me, are finding ways to navigate this wild industry while living with visible and invisible disabilities.”

— Nisha Platzer

Nisha is a queer director and experimental filmmaker in Vancouver. Her films meld sounds and imagery that you can dream and drown in, exploring themes of disability, queerness, youth and healing. She studied at the EICTV film school in Cuba and loves to process super8 and 16mm films in the darkroom.

In 2024, Nisha was a member of the DSO delegation to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Learn more about Nisha’s work at melodiousimage.com and irisfilmcollective.com.

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DSO Spotlight is our way of celebrating the contributions of disabled creatives across the screen industry and making space for their work to be seen and valued. Hit the share button to help us amplify Nisha’s work!

#DSO #DSOSpotlight #Disability #Inclusion #Accessibility Black-and-white photo of Nisha Platzer looking through a film camera outdoors, with the quote: If I could change one thing about the film industry, it would be the pace. by @disabilityscreen

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11 days ago

We’re glad to announce that, with support from Ontario Creates and the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), we’re bringing a delegation of five disabled creatives to VIFF 2026: Adrienne Lindsay, Ana Pacheco, Helene Taylor, Kagan Goh, and Lauren Saarimaki.

Get to know our delegates and explore a selection of disability-focused films screening at this year’s festival! Simply click the link in our bio and choose “DSO Updates”.

DSO Executive Director Winnie will also join the panel Beyond Access: Building Healthier Film Communities on October 5, which will explore the intersection of accessibility, mental health and workplace culture in film and television.

VIFF is a partner festival in our Screen Festival Accessibility Program. Their work towards improving accessibility practices at their festival and in their year-round operations contributed to the development of our recently launched guide, “All-Access Pass: A Roadmap for Festival & Screen Industry Event Accessibility”. Download it for free at dso-orphe.ca/all-access.

See you in Vancouver!

#DSO #VIFF2026 #Disability #Inclusion #Accessibility #FilmFestival Pink background. Headshots of the five DSO delegates to VIFF. DSO, Ontario Creates and VIFF logos at the bottom. by @disabilityscreen

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It was wonderful to celebrate the launch of All-Access Pass with so many of you yesterday at the Canada Pavilion at TIFF!

A huge thank you to Telefilm Canada, VIFF, BANFF, Reel Asian, and Reelworld for being part of this project and helping bring this resource to life. We're so proud of what we've created together, and grateful to everyone who joined us for this special moment.

Download the guide for free at dso-orphe.ca/all-access

About All-Access Pass:

Developed with generous support from Telefilm Canada, All-Access Pass: A Roadmap for Festival & Screen Industry Event Accessibility is a key outcome of DSO's Screen Festival Accessibility Program.

We worked closely with the Banff World Media Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and Reelworld Film Festival as case studies to inform this practical resource and create a guide that helps organizers build accessibility into their events from the start.

#DSO #Inclusion #AllAccessPass #TIFF26 #Accessibility #Disability #FilmFestival by @disabilityscreen

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a month ago

We’ve partnered with TIFF to offer a discount to Man in Motion: The Rick Hansen Story on September 11 at Roy Thomson Hall. Use the link in our bio, click “Unlock”, and enter the code: 26TIFF15 for $15 tickets.

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 10-20, 2026.

And on September 14, the DSO is launching All-Access Pass: A Roadmap for Festival & Screen Industry Event Accessibility at TIFF: The Market.

The document is a key outcome of our Screen Festival Accessibility Program, developed with generous support from Telefilm Canada. We worked closely with Banff World Media Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Reel Asian International Film Festival and Reelworld Film Festival as case studies to inform the development of All-Access Pass, a practical resource designed to help organizers build accessibility into their events from the start.

The launch will bring together representatives of the DSO, Telefilm Canada, and partner festivals to share how the guide was developed, the importance of creating a culture where accessibility is expected, and how organizations can put these principles into practice.

We'd love to have you join us for the launch and stay afterward for some nibblies and an opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the sector.

All-Access Pass - Launch Event
September 14, 2026 | 1:30-3:00 p.m. ET
Canada Pavilion at TIFF: The Market (B2)
Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Please note that this event is open to TIFF: The Market Pass holders. Space is limited, and admission will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

AGENDA

1:30 - 2:00 pm - Arrival; mingling
2:00 - 2:20 pm - Remarks
2:20 - 3:00 pm - Mingling

We look forward to seeing you there!

#TIFF26 A wheelchair athlete races along a wet road in heavy rain, with a white vehicle following closely behind. by @disabilityscreen

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a month ago

On September 14, the DSO is launching All-Access Pass: A Roadmap for Festival & Screen Industry Event Accessibility at TIFF: The Market. The document is a key outcome of our Screen Festival Accessibility Program, developed with generous support from Telefilm Canada.

We worked closely with Banff World Media Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Reel Asian International Film Festival and Reelworld Film Festival as case studies to inform the development of All-Access Pass, a practical resource designed to help organizers build accessibility into their events from the start.

The launch will bring together representatives of the DSO, Telefilm Canada, and partner festivals to share how the guide was developed, the importance of creating a culture where accessibility is expected, and how organizations can put these principles into practice.

JOIN US!
All-Access Pass - Launch Event
September 14, 2026 | 1:30-3:00 p.m. ET
Canada Pavilion at TIFF: The Market (B2)
Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Please note that attendance is limited to TIFF: The Market Pass holders.

Please note that space is limited, and admission will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

AGENDA
1:30 - 2:00 pm - Arrival; mingling
2:00 - 2:20 pm - Remarks
2:20 - 3:00 pm - Mingling

We look forward to seeing you there! Graphic featuring the cover of All-Access Pass, with an illustration of disabled people at a screen industry event. DSO and Telefilm Canada logos appear at the bottom. by @disabilityscreen

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2 months ago

The DSO has a lot planned for this year's edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the inaugural TIFF: The Market. With support from TIFF and Sunbelt Rentals, we're bringing a delegation of six disabled creatives to the festival: Adrian Morphy, Anna Cooley, Ardra Shephard, Lorraine Ward, Matthew Kowalchuk, and Taylor Lindsay-Noel.

We'll also be launching “All-Access Pass: A Roadmap for Festival & Screen Industry Event Accessibility”, a new resource designed to help event organizers build accessibility into their planning from the start.

Want to know more about our delegates, All-Access Pass, and how to connect with the DSO during TIFF? Check out the full article at swiy.co/dso-tiff-26 (link in our bio - DSO Updates).

#DSO #TIFF2026 #Inclusion #Disability #Accessibility Purple graphic featuring headshots of the six members of the DSO's 2026 TIFF delegation. DSO, Sunbelt Rentals, and TIFF logos appear at the bottom. by @disabilityscreen

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2 months ago

Today, August 21, is Alethea Bakogeorge's last day at the DSO, as she moves on to an exciting new opportunity. While we're sad to see her go, we're so happy for her and thankful for all she contributed to the Disability Screen Office.

As the DSO's inaugural Director of Programs and Development, Alethea played a significant role in building our Programs department and shaping our work, including our research project, Canada's Screen Industry Survey on Disability, and the Industry Resource Hub.

Alethea also co-authored our best practices guide, Reframing Access, and the upcoming “All-Access Pass: A Roadmap for Festival & Screen Industry Event Accessibility”. She has put care, knowledge and hard work into the DSO and our mission. Her impact will continue to be felt through the programs, resources and partnerships she helped build.

Thank you, Alethea, for everything you've brought to the DSO. We're going to miss having you on the team, but we couldn't be happier for you as you start this next chapter. ❤️

Images:

1 - Portrait of Alethea Bakogeorge.

2 - Alethea, DSO Executive Director Winnie Luk and DSO Operations Manager/EA Elspeth Arbow.

3 - Weird Alice, Winnie Luk, Andrew Morris (Hitsby Entertainment), Alethea and Elspeth.

4 - Top: DSO staff members posing together. Bottom: DSO's first strategic planning session.

5 - Top: Marina Mathieu (Coalition Média), Alethea and Winnie. Bottom: Winnie, Carolyn Mauricette (Fantasia), Keda Edwards Pierre (Broken Whole Media), and Alethea. Portrait of Alethea Bakogeorge, a white woman with shoulder-length curly dark hair, wearing a white jacket. Text reads: "Thank you for all your hard work, Alethea!" by @disabilityscreen

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