Creating an Accessible Oscars Experience: AMPAS
Project at a Glance
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the organization most famous for The Oscars, works annually with LaVant to support the implementation of accessibility best practices at their annual events. What started as a small initiative has since grown into a robust partnership, continually enhancing experiences for guests with disabilities along the way.
A Longstanding Organization with a Powerful Legacy
The mission of the Academy is to recognize and uphold excellence in the motion picture arts and sciences, inspire imagination, and connect the world through the medium of motion pictures. The Academy celebrates artistry and innovation in filmmaking, inspires new generations to share their love of cinema and storytelling, preserves global film history, and connects film fans from all over the world. At the core of all Academy initiatives is an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, sustainability and inclusion. The Academy is committed to providing accessible events, spaces, and experiences for all Academy members, staff, Academy Museum visitors, guests, and audiences.
History of the Partnership
LaVant’s partnership with the Academy began organically. Andraéa LaVant attended the 93rd Academy Awards as the Impact Producer for Crip Camp, a documentary film directed by Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham about a summer camp for disabled teens; the film was nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film. While a guest at the show, Andraéa LaVant identified opportunities for greater accessibility. This firsthand experience sparked a formal proposal outlining a comprehensive accessibility plan for the organization.
The challenge
Maintaining Momentum for High-Profile Inclusive Events and Experiences
The Academy strives to be a frontrunner in creating inclusive, welcoming, and accessible events. When Crip Camp was nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film, the organization saw the unprecedented possibility of a wheelchair user accepting an Oscar and, in response, built the industry’s first stage with an integrated ramp.
Although Crip Camp did not take home the Oscar that year, the Academy remained steadfast in its commitment to accessibility by recognizing the opportunities to advance its offerings in future events. They brought in experts with lived experience who could give clear guidance using a “progress over perfection” mindset. In so doing, the Academy continues to be a trailblazer in high-profile event accessibility.
LaVant’s Approach
Each year in partnership with the Academy brings new opportunities to accelerate accessibility for their guests and visitors. LaVant carefully examines the 5 Pillars of Access and the Academy’s unique organizational structure to focus on areas of work that have the greatest impact:
- Community-centered promotion of accessibility offerings
- Facilitating staff training sessions
- In-person testing of key access features
- Coordination with accessibility vendors and Academy staff
- Creating community insights reports
- Strategic recommendations for enhancements in future events
The Impact
LaVant approaches event accessibility for the Academy by setting annual goals for incremental change in multiple key access areas. In the past five years of the partnership, these incremental changes have had a cumulative effect of large scale, lasting impact. Some of these include:
- Development of an ASL Dual-Screen YouTube Livestream for the Oscars
- Accessibility in key paths of travel, including red carpet, press room, and theater stage
- Facilitation of the creation of a predominately-BIPOC interpreter team
- Creation of a dedicated Academy accessibility team
- Creation of a permanent Academy ASL Coordinator position
- Increase in awareness of Deaf community perspectives
- Growing Deaf and disabled influencer activations
- More welcoming in-person guest experiences for both events and Academy museum visitors
“Thank you so much for your continued collaboration and partnership on the Academy Awards and all our Oscar season special events. The show simply could not happen without both of you … and Goji! We are so grateful to work with you to ensure that all guests, including those watching from home can fully participate.”
