Yaara Kedem

Expert Accessibility Consultant for Festivals, Screenings, and Cultural Events

Illustration of audiences with disabilities looking at cinema screen.

As a disability ally, I work with filmmakers and film organizations to raise the level of accessibility and build more inclusive programs.

Accessibility Consulting

How to be ‘accessible’?

The film and media industries are increasingly recognizing the need for genuinely inclusive spaces for people with disabilities – but how do you get there? I develop tailored strategies that help film and cultural events welcome disabled storytellers, creators, speakers, and audiences.

I work with event teams to integrate practical, achievable accessibility approaches – from audio description and captioning to staff training and sensory-friendly programming -so every person can feel truly welcome.

Where do we start?

Creating synergy between three key areas:
Illustration of three people sitting on a stage with lights pointed at it. One person with a cane, one with a wheelchair, and one on a chair. A ramp is connected to the stage.

Content

Showcasing authentic disability stories and involving disabled speakers, curators, and staff in leadership roles.

Spaces

Ensuring both in-person and virtual venues are accommodating to disabled and non-disabled audiences.

Illustration of a building with a ramp leading to it's main entrance.
Illustration of two hands shaking.

Communication

Developing outreach and promotional strategies that actively engage the disability community.

The Process

Tackling accessibility can be overwhelming. Let’s break it down.
Stage 1: Review

Assess current accessibility practices across departments to identify barriers and opportunities to improve.

Stage 2: Revise

Update operations, communication, and programming to integrate inclusive practices.

Stage 3: Relay

Promote your accessibility offerings and actively connect with disabled audiences and organizations.

Services

Create programs that are truly inclusive
Illustration of a person in a wheelchair sitting by a desk with a sign saying "access" behind them.

Establish organizational accessibility practices

that welcome all audiences

Illustration of three people sitting on a stage with lights pointed at it. One person with a cane, one with a wheelchair, and one on a chair. A ramp is connected to the stage.

Curate films, panels, and programs

that celebrate authentic disabled perspectives

Illustration of two people facing a screen with captions on it.

Produce film accessibility assets

streamlining the creation of captions, audio description, and screening guides

Audit accessibility across departments

to identify barriers and provide customized solutions

Develop long-term accessibility roadmap

to ensure sustainable and long-term growth

Illustration of a handshake

Design outreach and partnership strategies

to reach audiences across the disability community

About Me

I’m Yaara Kedem (she/her), a film event accessibility consultant and producer with over 15 years of experience building inclusive, welcoming spaces across festivals and cultural organizations. After producing and directing film programs and working with disability-focused communities, I saw how much more powerful cinematic experiences can become when access is a given. My mission is to partner with event organizers, curators, and producers to make every screening, talk, and gathering accessible – for creators and audiences alike.

Why Work With Me?

With a background in both event production and disability advocacy, I offer a unique lens: I understand the creative needs of filmmakers, the practical considerations of event organizers, and the steps necessary to create access. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining existing access systems, I bring strategic thinking, versatile experience, and empathy to every project.

Woman with curly gray curls blowing in the wind wearing a black turtleneck seater and tan pants, leaning with her back to a railing and staring directly at the camera with a slight smile.

Organizations I’ve Worked With

A tall blue rectangle, like the universal accessibility sign, with a circle outline in the center; 25 percent of the circle is colored in lime green, 75 percent is colored in white. Below the circle, says "1IN4." Number 1 is in lime green color and 1IN4 is in white.
Logo with black and orange text on a white background: ReelAbilities Film Festival
Logo with black text on white background, reading: Museum of the Moving Image
If/Then Shorts logo with white and yellow text on a black square background.
Purple line graphic shaped as wings with a heart halo, reading: Give Beauty Wings
Logo with black text on white background, with two asymmetrical orange horizontal lines on top and bottom, reading: FEAW
Logo with illustration of elevator with red blood spilling out of it, with text: "Access Horror"
Yellow text shaped like a school bus, with a red road and map below it, reading Ride the Omnibus
White text on black background reading ITVS logo
Black text on white background reading "Outfest Fusion"
Pink text on white background reading: Outfest Los Angeles
Logo with a black-and-white image of a person peering through a film roll, and black text on a gray background: The Chicago International Film Festival
FWD-Dox logo in black text
Full Spectrum Features logo in black text besides two overlapping diamond shapes

Programs and Appearances

A panel discussion with 5 speakers sitting next to a CART live text monitor, with audiences sitting facing them, some on chairs, some using wheelchairs.
Give Beauty Wings, 2024
ID: A center image of Ariel Baska grinning in front of the Access:Horror logo as it’s projected on the film screen behind them. A woman with curly gray hair is hugging their shoulders from behind. The image is outlined in a white border that intersects with the above and below background images showing a pile of Access:Horror spiky logo magnets in red, black, and white.
Access:Horror Film Festival, DCTV, 2025
On overview five people sitting on a wooden stage with a screen behind them. One is signing, and one holding the mic.
Inclusive Music Making, Accessibility, and their Innovative Applications in the Arts Roundtable, Austrian Cultural Forum NYC/Zero Project, 2022.
Speaker, Teach Access Student Academy: Creating Inclusive Events with Mariella Paulino, Adriana Mallozzi, and Yaara Kedem, March 2024.
Speaker, Inclusive Music Making, Accessibility, and their Innovative Applications in the Arts Roundtable, Austrian Cultural Forum NYC/Zero Project, 2022.
Moderator, Opening Night Q+A, with Best Summer Ever creators and cast, ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York, 2021.
Producer, ReelAbilities Comedy Night – What’s So Funny? Panel Discussion ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York, 2020.
Producer, Just Do It?: The Impact of Perfectionism & Productivity on Mental Health and Disability, ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York, 2022.

Ready to talk accessibility? Let’s connect.

Book an introductory call to explore how we can elevate access or plan a customized accessibility audit.

Illustration of an envelope on the go

Feedback

I am still learning and growing in my knowledge and understanding. I can make mistakes sometimes, and might overlook certain areas I should be sensitive to. If you notice aspects of my language, web accessibility, or approach that could use improvement – please reach out and let me know.