Accessibility statement

Disability, Accessibility and Representation in the Creative Industries - TFT00062I

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Anna Bramwell-Dicks
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module introduces you to the field of accessibility - defined as how a disabled person accesses or benefits from a site, system or application, including creative outputs - , covering different techniques used across the creative industries, while also exploring aspects of representation of people from those communities within different media formats.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module aims:

  • To introduce you to key concepts in the field of disability studies, accessibility and representation, such as the social model of disability, universal design and integrated access.
  • To develop your understanding, both theoretically and practically, of accessibility methods used across film, television, theatre and interactive media, including captioning and Audio Description, while also exploring novel approaches based on cutting edge research.
  • Invite you to reflect on the representation of disabled people in creative products, as well as the role of disabled people in telling their stories.
  • Reflect on accessibility as a career path within the creative sector.

Module learning outcomes

Upon completion of this module you are expected to be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in the field of disability studies, linked to accessibility and representation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different techniques used to provide access to different creative outputs, including film, television, theatre and interactive media, while assessing their strengths and weaknesses.
  • Demonstrate an ability to engage critically with the representation of disabled people in different creative pieces across the creative industries.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of research and practice trends within the field as well as avenues for future exploration.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark Group
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100 A
Essay/coursework
Essay : An artefact with accompanying report		 N/A 100 B
Essay/coursework
Essay : A business proposal		 N/A 100 C
Essay/coursework
Essay : A live performance demonstration with accompanying report		 N/A 100 D

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

We will seek to provide you with formative feedback during the practical sessions, workshops and seminars.

You will have various options for your final assessment, depending on your underlying interests and skills. All listed assessments are 100% contribution to the module.

You will be given the option to be assessed based on:

  • writing an essay on a question related to disability, accessibility and representation in the creative industries; or
  • making an accessible creative artefact, e.g. game, web application, tv show, film, with an accompanying report; or
  • creating a detailed business plan that will pitch a commercial opportunity to support disabled people, or
  • delivering a demonstration of an accessible live performance, with an accompanying report.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Essay on a topic related to accessibility and/or representation in the creative industries.		 N/A 100

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Fryer, L. (2016). An Introduction to Audio Description: A Practical Guide. Routledge.

Kleege, G. (2018). More than Meets the Eye: what blindness brings to art. Oxford University Press.

Oliver, M. (2009). Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice. 2nd edition. Palgrave.

Macmillan Romero-Fresco, P. (2019). Accessible Filmmaking: Integrating translation and accessibility into the filmmaking process. Routledge.
Worrell, T. (2018). Disability in the Media: Examining Stigma and Identity. Lexington Books.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.