EVERYTHING PRODUCTION NEEDS TO KNOW WHEN PERFORMERS WITH DISABILITIES ARE HIRED

SAG/AFTRA/AEA recommend asking the performer what accommodation, if any, will be required. Most accommodations are readily achievable for little or no cost. Following are resources to assist you as needed:

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN), 1-800-232-9675 or 1-800-526-7234
  

• Paralyzed Veterans Association, 1-800-424-8200 (Carol Lopez)
• NY: Eastern PVA, 718-803-3782 (Cleo King)
• LA: California PVA, 1-800-497-0565 (Art Liles)
• U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ACCESS Board), 1-800-USA-ABLE (Marsha Mazz, 800-272-0020) or www.access-board.gov

COMMUNICATING WITH PERFORMERS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

RELAY SERVICE
If you do not have a TDD/TTY (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf), you may telephone a person who is deaf through the Relay Service. Just dial

• AT&T National - 1-800-855-2881
  
• SPRINT National - 1-800-877-8973
  
• MCI National - 1-800-947-8642
  and give the performer's TDD or TTY number to the Relay Operator (Communications Assistant). The CA will guide you through the simple process.
  

INTERPRETERS
The number of interpreters that may be needed depends on the script and activity and may be ascertained from the first interpreter hired. Interpreters should be certified.

For a list of agencies handling interpreters in your area, CONTACT:

• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (R.I.D.) - 301-608-0050 or 703-838-0030 or Fax on Demand - 1-800-711-3691, Document #105, or www.rid.org
• Note: For a list of certified interpreters in the NY area:
  
• Jean Gerson-Greer at Screen Actors Guild, 212-827-1447
  

ACCOMMODATING PERFORMERS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
For transcribing services or information regarding Braille, audio format, large print, etc., CONTACT:

• Lighthouse International, 1-800-829-0500
• NY: The Lighthouse International, 212-821-9200 or 821-9231
  

ACCOMMODATING PERFORMERS WHO ARE COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED
Communicating with cognitively impaired performers regarding scripts/sides, call sheets, verbal instructions, cues, etc. might require certain accommodations. For information, CONTACT:

• YAI Office, 212-563-7474 (Barbara Fyne, Ext. 6202) or YAI Link, 212-273-6182
  
• The Arc, 1-800-433-5255 (Sharon Davis - if urgent, request person to be paged)
  

FURTHER INFORMATION

• Screen Actors Guild (NY), 212-827-1433; FAX 212-944-6774
  
• Screen Actors Guild (LA), 323-549-6643; FAX 323-549-6647
  
• AFTRA (NY), 212-532-0800; FAX 212-545-1238
  
• AFTRA (LA), 323-634-8100; FAX 323-634-8126
  
• Actors' Equity Association, 212-869-8530; FAX 212-719-9815
  
• Actors' Equity Association (LA), 323-634-1750; FAX 323-634-1777
  

EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING WITH PERFORMERS WITH DISABILITIES BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK  (Common Questions):

• Will the employment of performers with disabilities increase employer insurance costs? No.
  
• Will rehearsals/production take longer if we hire a performer with a disability? Performers with disabilities do not require more rehearsal and production time than the average performer without a disability.
  
• Is it permissible to ask a performer questions about his/her disability or the extent of his/her impairment? No. But the Producer may describe the specific requirements of the role and ask whether the performer can fulfill these requirements with or without reasonable accommodations. Further, the performer may be asked to demonstrate a script-mandated task without any obligation on the Producer to require a similar demonstration from a non-disabled performer. Once the requirements have been described, however, it is the performer's responsibility to specify what accommodations, if any, are needed.
  
• Is it permissible for actors to be asked whether they can perform without their accommodation, i.e. wheelchair, guide dog, and/or interpreter? Yes, but unless working without the accommodation is essential to the role, the performer may refuse.
  
• What is the Producer's responsibility for an attendant who may accompany a performer with a disability to a location or to a rehearsal/performance? None.
  
• Is it expected that a production person be assigned specifically to a performer with a disability? No.
  
• Do cables, scenery, cameras, the edge of a stage, etc. create problems for disabled performers? Professional actors who are disabled are skillful at maneuvering both on and off the stage, sets, or studios.
  
• Does the Producer have any responsibility to provide special transportation for a performer with mobility impairment? When transportation is required by the collective bargaining agreement, reasonable accommodations must be provided.
  
• Is it permissible to ask a performer who is wheelchair user if s/he is able to transfer from the wheelchair without assistance? Yes.
  
• What happens if the dressing room/holding area cannot be made accessible? Reasonable accommodations must be made for all employees. An accessible, set-aside area must be provided affording similar amenities as would be found in the non-accessible dressing room/holding area.
  
• If a performer who is blind or visually impaired wishes a script/sides transcribed into Braille, audio tapes or large print, who is responsible for having it done? Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Producer is responsible.
  
• What is the likelihood of the wheelchair breaking down or guide dog having an "accident"? These situations are extremely unlikely to occur. Performers with disabilities use their accommodations daily and are able to deal with any unusual problem that might arise.
  
• Is the producer required to hire sign language interpreters if deaf or hard of hearing performers are employed? And, if so, how many must be hired and how much will this cost? Sign language interpreters are a reasonable accommodation to facilitate communication between the Producer and the performer. We recommend asking the performer if s/he will want an interpreter. The cost will vary according to the base rate in effect, the number of performers requiring service, the amount of hours and/or days the service is required. The extent to which a performer is needed will also determine whether an interpreter is required and whether there is necessity for more than one.
  
• Can deaf or hard of hearing performers lip read or speak? Some can; some cannot. If lip/speech reading or speaking is a script-mandated task, the performer may be asked whether s/he has that ability and be treated as described under question #3.
  
• What is the likelihood that performers with disabilities will lack the stamina; have special medication needs or other requirements that would restrict their ability to put in a full day's work plus possible overtime? Performers with disabilities expect to be held to the same standards as their colleagues.
  
• Can performers with Down syndrome or other cognitive impairments learn and retain lines and direction? Yes. The ability to learn and retain lines would be considered an essential job function for any actor; however, a performer with a cognitive impairment may, or may not, require additional time. The performer may be treated as described under question #3.