We’ve been working on this film for 6 years now, and we’ve learned a lot from the people we met. With the film we hope to pass on this knowledge, and to encourage change! Thank you for supporting us in that!

A couple of things that we find important:

Accessible film screenings

Its important for us that the film is accessible for as many people as possible. That’s why we created an audio description in German (and soon in English), as well as continuous subtitles in German and English. We also hope to be able to make a translation in German Sign Language and maybe also International sign language. (If people have ideas for how to get funding for that get in touch!)

We also hope to create change in the places and groups where the film is shown, so we ask you to think about how you can make the film screenings accessible for example for deaf, blind, neurodivergent, chronically ill, mobility impaired people. That could include:

• For people with chronic illness, sofas or other possibilities to lie down, wearing masks, asking people not to come when acutely sick, taking enough breaks, hybrid or online events.
• For deaf people organise sign language interpretation for the discussion (you probably need to organise funding for this, often cities have funding for this kind of accessibility)
• Is the venue wheelchair accessible? Is there an accessible toilet, or if not is there one in the area that could be used? How easy is it to get there with public transport?
• For neurodivergent people, make a quiet resting space available, provide fidget toys
• For blind people: offer assistance

It’s not always possible to make everything accessible for everyone, and sometimes there are also conflicting access needs, but it’s good to make a start. Obviously what is possible depends on the resources available to you and your group. Some things on the list are also possible with little effort and money.

It’s great if you can put some of that into place, but don’t worry if it’s not possible. Maybe it can be the start of something 🙂

In any case it’s very important to transparently provide information on the invitations, on your website etc about how accessible the space and the event is for people with different disabilities. If the screening is public it’s also good to include an email address or phone number if people need to ask about access needs.

It could be a good idea to share the invitations in spaces where disabled people can be reached. They are excluded so often, it’s time for that to change!

Please support us

Lian is very ill and at the moment we have to organise and finance medication and also assistance ourselves. That’s not possible without support. We want the film to be available for everyone, regardless of whether they can afford it or not, so if possible we would like there to be no fixed entry price. But we would ask everyone who can to support us. If you are a project, space, NGO etc, who normally pays your workers and contractors, think about if you could maybe give us a bit more. Living with chronic illness is very expensive. We would be very happy, and we need the support to also finish the second part of the film, and to make this first part even more accessible. You can also let us know, if you could support by writing an application to the city or to an association etc for funding.

After the film

We’ve also thought about how you could moderate a discussion or exchange after watching the film. For example you could ask what barriers people in the room experience, and what they would wish for. How does ableism affect you?

Then you could reflect on how your group/movement could be more accessible, and think of the next steps to get there.

We’ll be very happy if you organise a film screening, and we hope that together we can change a lot!

If you like you can also share with us, how the screening went, as lian can’t leave bed we‘ re happy to stay connected and get to travel through the film 🙂