The ‘Cost’ of Accommodations Report Cited in Bill to Fund Production Accessibility in New York City

The first-of-its-kind program would provide grants to cover the cost of accommodations for local TV, film and theater productions that hire disabled crew, actors, and other relevant creative professionals.

From left: ‘Only Murders in the Building’ star James Caverly and Council Member Christopher Marte outside of City Hall in Manhattan. Credit: Abbey White

By Abbey White

A coalition of disability advocates, artists, and city officials gathered last Wednesday in Manhattan to announce a first-of-its-kind fund to make New York City’s film, television, and theater industries more accessible for disabled creatives. 

Spearheaded by Council Member Christopher Marte and supported by data published in Inevitable Foundation’s The ‘Cost’ of Accommodations Report, a proposed local law (Intro 1307-2025 ) would establish this granting program to cover the costs of accessibility-related accommodations on new and existing TV, film and theater productions filmed or staged in the city. It would also establish accessibility-focused crew roles as a production standard.

The fund would require productions to demonstrate a plan to hire and support disabled workers to qualify and would follow in the footsteps of the city’s Women’s Fund for Media, Music &Theater. 

During the event, Council Member Marte spoke about the urgent need to address the “fundamental problem” of systemic barriers disabled professionals face in the entertainment industry. “People with disabilities don't feel safe in their work environment because their employers use [their disability] against them, whether it's making them pay out of pocket [so] they can work in a space, or not hiring them because they believe they're going to have to spend additional funds.

According to the bill, the fund would be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in conjunction with the Office for People with Disabilities and Office of Talent and Workforce Development. The fund would cover the costs of accommodations such as ADA-accessible trailers, ASL interpreters, PAs to assist blind and low-vision staff, ramps, and improved set lighting. The bill also calls for training and certification of production access coordinators.

Marte emphasized that the proposed fund would encourage more hiring of disabled performers and crew, and move the industry towards standardizing “the system for getting accommodations considered as a budget item during the production budgeting process. This bill can, at the very least, be the start of making considerations for productions from the very beginning, so people with disabilities are not treated as an inconvenience.”

In a statement, Inevitable Foundation President Richie Siegel expressed the organization’s support for the bill and its potential impact on increasing access within the TV and film industry. 

“The ‘Cost’ of Accommodations Report marked our and the film and television industry's first real foray into understanding what it costs from a financial, creative, and labor perspective to have disabled people’s needs met on productions and sets, and what is lost by the industry when that access is denied. In the years since we have released more research, and launched new programs and funds, but the goal—to enact material change by eliminating industry excuses for why disabled talent isn’t hired—has remained the same,” he said. “We are proud to say our work at Inevitable Foundation played a role in sparking legislation like this, which marks a significant step towards building true equity and access for the disabled creative community that powers New York and its film and television industry.”

Speakers at the afternoon rally also included 504 Democratic Club President Mike Schweinsburg, President and CEO of Art Beyond Sight Elisabeth Axel, Executive Director for the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York Dr. Sharon McLennan Weir, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, SAG-AFTRA member and actress Anita Hollander, and Only Murders in the Building star James Caverly. 

The actor, who is also an ASL director, writer, and producer, spoke in support of the bill, stating that it “brings me real hope to know that there are [entities] who are willing to make inclusion a line item in their budget because that's what it takes. That's what allows people like me to feel safe at work, to show up, and simply do the job we were hired to do.”

Caverly, whose Emmy-winning Hulu series films in New York, highlighted how in his career a lack of support has led to him serving as an unpaid accessibility consultant, a frequent refrain among disabled creatives. While he’s been “lucky to have an agent who looks out for me” as he navigates a lack of production access, most disabled creatives are “going at it alone, without representation or resources.”

“As anyone in this industry knows, creating a show is no easy task. It's fast-paced, high-pressure, and full of moving parts. I do my best to help every production reach its potential. But when accessibility and inclusion are not prioritized, the cost falls on us, the disabled artists,” he told the crowd outside City Hall Park. “Disabled people are the original hackers. We've been accommodating inaccessible environments for years, but when we ask able-bodied folks to meet us halfway, suddenly, it's too difficult. In truth, it often takes just a little more time, a little more money, and a lot more intention to create an environment where disabled people can thrive.”

SAG-AFTRA National Board Member and National Chair of the Performers With Disabilities Committee Christine Bruno echoed Caverly in her show of support for the bill, which would increase working opportunities for the country’s largest minority group, consisting of over 70 million people nationally and one million in New York City. 

“Enacting legislation that supports Deaf and disabled creatives by eliminating financial barriers to funding and providing resources for productions will enable us to participate fully in the workforce. It will strengthen the cultural health of the city by fully representing our diverse and rich cultural and creative landscape,” she said. “This bill makes a bold and enduring statement not only about who we are as a city, but who we aspire to be. If we are truly the entertainment capital of the world, it is incumbent upon us to lead the way.”