Actors and models

Using disabled actors for disabled roles.

Where to look:

Graeae Theatre trains disabled actors and has a database of many actors who have a disability.
Equity has a list of actors with disabilities.
Channel 4 has a website dedicated to disabled talent.
The Arts Council highlights 25 theatre companies that work with disabled artists.
VisABLE People is the first agency in the UK with the sole objective of supplying professional models, actors and presenters with disabilities to the television, film and advertising industries.
Mind the gap represents actors with learning disabilities.
Showfolio allows you to search for disabled freelancers who work in TV, film and commercial production
Spotlight is a large UK casting agency with over 30,000 performers.

Always use disabled actors for disabled roles.
Be prepared to be flexible. There may not be an actual person with the particular combination of disability, age and gender that has been scripted.
Ask casting agencies specifically for disabled people. When casting agencies become aware of the demand they will put more disabled actors on their books.
Look in as many places as possible for the right person.
Work creatively with your disabled actor’s impairment or health condition. There may be room for humour or surprise.
It is acceptable to use everyday language when communicating with a disabled person.
Don't automatically cast beautiful or aspirational people. Challenge yourself to cast on other criteria than aesthetics.
Sometimes disability has been successfully introduced to a campaign during the casting and pre-production stages, for example if an actor with a hearing aid comes to a casting.
Ensure that your model release forms are accessible.

Make sure the location of the shoot or voiceover recording has the necessary access facilities for your actor's needs, for example convenient parking or access to good public transport.
Ask if the actor or model if they have any access requirements prior to the shoot and ensure these needs are met. For example, if they will need a language service professional to communicate, book one in advance.
Ensure the working day is not too long and provide breaks as necessary.
Carry out an accessibility audit of the shoot location or studio to assess what issues may occur or what could be easily changed to make the venue more accessible.
Make sure all information sent to actors is provided in a format which will be accessible for them.

Page last reviewed: 04 November 2010