Access Coordination
Since 2022 I’ve been working in HETV & film.
Starting on BBC’s RTS award-winning Ralph & Katie as an Inclusive Performance Coordinator, I went on to train with ScreenSkills, becoming an Access Coordinator.
I’m now working alongside Brazen Productions as a delivery partner for the second cohort of ScreenSkills Access Coordinators. Other partners include TripleC, DDPTV, Access All Areas and C Talent. I’m also a contributor to the TV Access Project (TAP) and regularly guest on panels.
I am dedicated to addressing the underrepresentation of disabled, Deaf, learning disabled and neurodivergent people in HETV, film, the arts and culture, whether this be through advocacy roles, coordination work or by producing inclusive artworks and platforms myself.
I am autistic and have ADHD. To learn more about my practice and career in disability arts, visit my About page.
What is an Access Coordinator?
An access coordinator embeds best practice production-wide and is available to any member of cast, crew and production as a 1-1 advocate. They are available to discuss, implement and oversee any adjustments to enable cast and crew to do their job well, whilst protecting their physical and mental health.
An AC works with and within companies and production teams to support accessible and sustainable working practices. They help ensure that people are treated as our industry’s most valuable resource and that UK wide equality and employment laws are adhered to.
By having an ethos and approach where everyone in your production is treated differently you inherently support DDNA (deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, autistic) people better and create a genuinely accessible and inclusive production and place of work.
An AC is not just for projects that have disabled storylines or talent as this only serves to further ‘other’ DDNA people.
An AC is for everyone and every project. Everyone benefits from a reasonable adjustment.
Having an Access Coordinator on The Traitors has been a game-changer. Working with Jess Mabel Jones has been an incredibly positive experience — not only because of her professionalism and expertise, but because she brings a calm, solutions-focused approach that makes a real difference. Jess liaised directly with our cast and offered thoughtful, sensitive support throughout the casting period and the filming period which meant we were able to create a more inclusive, accessible, and ultimately stronger production environment for everyone. It’s been hugely reassuring to have someone we can trust to guide us in making thoughtful, informed decisions that genuinely support our contributors and crew.
Anna Driver, Senior Casting and Welfare Executive
Jess' expertise has helped Race Across the World to be an inclusive and accessible production for both cast and crew. She is non-judgemental and forward thinking, asking the questions that others don't think to ask in a friendly and approachable manner. Her suggestions have helped to ensure that cast are not unfairly disadvantaged because of their needs and that everyone is supported, particularly important for a successful competition format, such as Race Across the World. It's a real skill to get people from all walks of life to quickly open up about things they may struggle with. Jess does this effortlessly! I’d highly recommend having an Accessibility Coordinator on any TV production — it makes a real difference.
Zyreeta Abadji, Casting and Welfare Executive
Working with an Access Coordinator on our TV show was incredibly helpful — not just for our cast but also for the crew, helping us to focus on the entire culture of our production. Throughout the casting process, the Access Coordinator helped us identify and remove barriers with practical solutions. Whether it was adapting call sheets for neurodivergent talent, ensuring physical access for disabled people, or facilitating quiet spaces for mental health breaks, their support made everyone feel seen, respected, and supported.
Kirsty Bysouth, Production Executive, Wall to Wall Media
TV
We Might Regret This / Rough Cut
The Celebrity Traitors / Studio Lambert
Race Across the World / Studio Lambert
Great British Sewing Bee / Love Productions
The Hunt / CPL Productions
Married at First Sight / Kinetic Content
The Traitors / Studio Lambert
Gogglebox / Studio Lambert
Stranded on Honeymoon Island / CPL Productions
Perfect Pub Walks/ Up and Away Films
Sophie Morgan’s Fight to Fly/ Channel 4
Glow Up / Wall To Wall for BBC
Undisclosed / 42 for Amazon
All Creatures Great & Small / Playground Productions for Channel 5
Bad Sisters / Merman for Apple TV
The Couple Next Door / Eagle Eye Drama for Channel 4
Screw / STV for Channel 4
Industry / Bad Wolf for HBO
Black Cake / Harpo Films for Hulu
The Last Leg / Open Mic for Channel 4
Blue Peter / CBBC
Ralph & Katie / ITV Studios for BBC
Film
Cleaner / Anton
Burnt Out In Biscuit Land / Touretteshero
Mo <3 Kyra 4Eva / Film4
Events
BBC Comedy Festival 2024/25
BBC & DDPTV Networking Event 2024
Organisations
BADC
BAFTA / Breakthrough
Panels
Creative Cities Convention 2022 / Ralph & Katie a marriage made in heaven
BAFTA / Inclusive Storytelling and Production: Ralph & Katie and Then Barbara Met Alan
Rethink Disability Festival for BBC Ability / Access Coordinators in HETV
Creative Coaching
What is a Creative Coach?
As an IPC, I specialise in pre-production and on-set direction, acting coaching and advocacy for Learning Disabled, Neurodivergent and Autistic actors.
To put it simply, we could not have shot Ralph & Katie without the input from Jess. As a director Jess was an invaluable tool that allowed us to get the most from our cast. It was a true pleasure to form a creative bond with her & I have no doubt that the project wouldn’t have achieved its potential without Jess.
Jordan Hogg, Ralph & Katie Director
Jess is a very kind, cool, awesome person. She’s part of the Ralph & Katie family and is someone I want to work with. Jess was there for me and helped a lot with things like the script in rehearsals and directing on set. She also helped me when the scenes were upsetting. Working with Jess was very fun too- the best bit was when we choreographed a dance!
Leon Harrop, Ralph in Ralph & Katie
Jess’ invention, her creativity, her humour, and her commitment to the job was awe inspiring. Her openness to ideas and her ability to translate the ideas of the production team into a workable and creative dialogue with Leon and Sarah both protected and empowered both performers. She also choreographed a dance routine that will, I am sure, become an iconic television moment.
Always collaborative yet unafraid to suggest new ways forward to meet the challenges of the filming day, Jess was an indispensable part of the Ralph and Katie team.
I have written several dramas featuring actors with learning disabilities over the last twenty years. Jess opened the door to a new way of working which will certainly transform my practice and will hopefully transform the practice of many in the industry.
Peter Bowker, Ralph & Katie Showrunner
Jess rocks!
Jules Hussey, Ralph & Katie Producer