
Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Awareness
Awareness training is often a first step for productions looking to include and support learning disabled and autistic talent.
Training can be in-person or on Zoom, always co-led by a learning disabled or autistic trainer.
The sessions give an overview of learning disability and autism, an introduction to neurodiversity, and an introduction to accessible communication. They include:
- Introduction to learning disability and autism
- Introduction to neurodiversity
- Language and social model of disability
- Barriers faced by learning disabled and autistic people
- Introduction to accessible communication
- Introduction to creating friendly environments
If you are interested in booking this training get in touch at hello@accessallareasproductions.org.
Meet the trainers
Emma Selwyn
Associate Director
After taking part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Emma made their directorial debut in The Interrogation, an app-based immersive show which went on to tour nationally.
They are currently working with Access All Areas as an Associate Director and run regular masterclasses. They co-directed NHS England’s Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training films, and teach on the Performance Making Diploma.
Emma also works as a consultant for Access All Areas where they co-lead awareness training for industry professionals working within TV, Film and Theatre where they bring their lived experience of autism.
Emma is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on their artistic career, read Emma’s Artist Profile.
Charlene Salter
Co-Chair
After taking part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Charlene is now co-chairperson of Access All Areas and brings her experience as a learning disabled artist to the board. She also sits on the advisory board of Battersea Arts Centre. She has since spoken on multiple governance panels championing accessible board practice.
In 2020 she was appointed to join the #FreelanceTaskForce where she joined other freelancers sponsored by arts organisations; together they worked to strengthen the influence of freelancers in deciding the future of theatre.
Charlene is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on his artistic career, read Charlene’s Artist Profile
Cian Binchy
Digital Content Creator
Cian is a content creator, artist, performer, actor, and poet. After taking part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Cian started working with Access All Areas as a Content Creator writing and filming content for social media. He is the main mind behind Access All Areas’ series ‘Access Not Denied’ and the monthly ‘5 Shows by Disabled Artists’ run-down.
Cian is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on is artistic career, read Cian’s Artist Profile
Katie Wheeler
Access Officer
Katie is the Access Officer for Access All Areas where she supports the access of AAA artists, diploma and wider AAA programmes including new work. She also is part of the consultancy team delivering training to some of the world’s leading organisations in TV film and theatre.
Katie previously worked as a Support Mentor for several artists on the first iteration of Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership Project between 2020-2022 before transitioning into her role today.
Katie trained at Brighton University in dance, theatre and choreography. She has 8 years of experience in participatory arts, leading workshops for disabled adults, people with Parkinsons and young people in London and Devon.
Katie is a Non-executive Director and original member of Far Flung, an inclusive creative arts company based in Plymouth, where she previously led multiple projects across the city as well as dancing professionally with disabled and non-disabled performers in much of their work.
Lucy Andrews-Gavin
Access Manager
Lucy is the Access Manager at Access All Areas, and brings lived experience of neurodiversity, alongside extensive professional experience working in access across screen and theatre.
Lucy has worked as a lead trainer for both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 intake of access coordinators, funded by ScreenSkills, and mentors several of the 2023-24 cohort. She leads on Access All Areas’ partnership with TV Access Project and sits on a number of TAP working groups, and is currently designing the TAP Access Passport template.
Lucy has worked as an access consultant and coordinator on some of the UK’s most high-profile productions, including The Crown and The Witcher (both Netflix), on screen projects that pioneered disabled access like Ralph and Katie (ITV Studios for BBC) and Dinosaur (Two Brothers for BBC). Lucy’s recent experience working in unscripted includes 007: Road To A Million (72 Films for Amazon Studios) and consultancy for Pointless (Remarkable for BBC).
In the last three months, Lucy has consulted and led training for organisations including the BBC, Netflix, National Theatre, National Film and Television School, Central School of Speech and Drama, University College London and many more.
Lucy is a pioneer and sector leader. She led access for the first neurodivergent regulars on Holby City, Hollyoaks and EastEnders, and led the first relaxed performances in the UK as part of her role at Autism West Midlands, authoring ‘Show Time’, the first guide to relaxed performance.
Nick Llewellyn
Artistic Director and Co-CEO
Nick is behind so much of what we do at Access All Areas.
After taking over and reshaping the company in 2008, he co-founded Access All Areas’ Performance Making Diploma at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, where he is still a visiting lecturer.
Nick has devised, directed or co-directed most of our productions, including A Small Enclosed room with Alfie Murphy, unReal City, The Interrogation, MADHOUSE re:exit, and The Misfit Analysis. He also directed numerous community shows for our Black Cab Company (formerly Rainbow Drama).
Previously, he was Artistic Director at Hackney Shed, Outreach Officer at Hijinx Theatre, and ran the self advocacy consultancy company Advocreate.
Nick has an MA Performance Making and BA (hons) Drama and Education.
As an advocate for inclusion Nick takes part in many talks and panels, and has worked on artistic projects across Europe through AAA’s consultancy programme.
At the heart of Nick’s practice is co-creation, and he makes sure it’s part of Access All Areas’s DNA.
Eden West
Eden is currently on Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme. As part of the programme, he works as a consultant for Access All Areas where he co-leads awareness training for industry professionals working within TV, film and theatre where he brings his lived experience of learning disability and autism.
Eden is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on Eden’s artistic career, read his Artist Profile
Luke Fox
Luke, one of Access All Areas Associate Artists, also works as a consultant for Access All Areas where he co-leads awareness training for industry professionals working within TV, film and theatre where he brings his lived experience of learning disability and autism.
Luke also co-delivered the outreach programmes for our last two productions (A Small Enclosed Room with Alfie Murphy and Imposter 22)
To learn more on Luke’s artistic career, read his Artist Profile