Accessible Interview Template: Working with Disabled and Neurodiverse Journalists

Designed with inclusivity, flexibility, and comfort in mind. We created a template for interviews conducted by disabled and neurodiverse journalists. It balances structure, to support focus and reduce anxiety, with flexibility, to let conversations flow naturally in the interviewer’s own style.

Starting with format options, decide on the best option for both interviewer and artist.

• Written Q&A (email / shared doc, allows flexible response times)
• Pre-recorded (voice notes or video sent in advance)
• Live (video call, phone, or in-person with breaks)
• Hybrid (start written, follow up live if needed)

Encourage the journalist to pick their comfort zone first, checking if that works for the artist after.

To prepare, ensure questions are sent in advance to reduce anxiety and structure the conversation. Use a clear script/outline so you don't lose track. If the conversation stalls, consider using yes/no, multiple-choice, or "pick one" style questions. Allow for breaks or pauses - silence is okay!

When structuring the interview, start with the easy stuff first. If it helps, when doing introductions, use a scripted opener (e.g. "Hi, I'm {name}, and my pronouns are {your pronouns}. Thank you for speaking with me today. Offer the artist space to share how they'd like to be addressed and check in on communication styles (e.g. "Do you prefer short questions, causal chat, or something more structured?")

Some example questions:

Warm-up questions

• “What’s something you’ve been enjoying lately?”
• “What was the last song/album/show that made you feel excited?”

Core Questions

• “How do you describe your music/art in your own words?”
• “What inspires your current project?”
• “Have you found spaces/events that felt especially welcoming or accessible?”
• “What would you like more people to understand about disabled/neurodiverse artists?”

Flexible add-ons

• “What’s a dream project or collaboration you’d love to do?”
• “What’s one piece of advice you’d give to others starting out?”

Closing

• Is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to share?”
• “Where can people find your work online?”
• Thank the artist and let them know what happens next (article, post, zine, etc.).​

Accessibility aids for journalists:

• Scripts & Notes: Use pre-written prompts to stay on track.
• Choice-Based Questions: Offer multiple-choice or rating questions if open-ended feels hard.
• Recording & Transcripts: Record (with consent) so you can focus on listening, not note-taking.
• Chunked Sessions: If overwhelmed, split the interview into 2 shorter sessions.
• Post-Interview Reflection: Give yourself time to edit/rephrase later — it doesn’t need to be perfect live.​