Celestine Fraser is a writer, copywriter and filmmaker communicating disability.
In 2023, she was named the UK’s most influential disabled person in media and publishing by the Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100.
Celestine’s work has been programmed on the BBC, screened at the BFI and Barbican, and published in VICE, Metro, NOWNESS and Little White Lies. She also works with organisations, brands and businesses to help them communicate disability to their audiences.
20% of the population is disabled.
That’s one in five people. If that’s not you, that’s your dyslexic dad or your aunt with arthritis. That’s a global one billion people - and the world’s largest minority!
And yet too often, we’re still too scared to talk about it: in Britain, 67% of people say they feel uncomfortable around disabled people.
This needs to change.
Disability is a part of the human experience: it’s time to break the taboo.
As a freelance writer, copywriter, filmmaker and consultant expert in disability, access and inclusion, I can help you communicate with as many people as possible—including, and especially, with disabled people.
So let’s re-write the story. Let’s find the right words.
Disability is about all of us.
Organisations I’ve worked with
“ill, actually is an enlightening look at prejudice and common misunderstanding.”
Director’s Notes on ill, actually (BBC & BFI, 2019)
How I can help you:
These are a few examples of ways I can help. Please get in touch if you have any other ideas or enquiries.
Writing
I write articles about disability and inclusion, including features, lists, essays, explainers, interviews and profiles.
I’ve worked with diverse clients, including magazines (eg. VICE, Metro), charities (eg. ParaDance UK), and businesses (eg. Tilting the Lens, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower).
You can read examples of my writing here.
Copywriting
I write all sorts of copy, including case studies, website copy, social media content, interviews, brand names, tone-of-voice or press releases.
I’ve worked with diverse clients, including an LGBTQ+ disabled empowerment charity, a disability arts organisation and an innovative micro-mobility scooter.
You can read examples of my copywriting here.
Film
I’m available in a writing, consulting or exec producer capacity for film and television.
I’m an award-winning producer, and have produced two short films about young disabled identity with the BFI and BBC: ill, actually (2019) and BETTER (2023). I’m also an Associate Writer on BETTER, and have been a member of the BFI Disability Screen Advisory Group and Press Reset campaign.
You can see examples of my filmmaking here.
Consulting
I provide creative & communications consulting on disability for organisations, brands and businesses.
“Celestine's advice and coaching have greatly helped me as a writer in being able to communicate complex subjects in a clear and human way […] Readers regularly pick out the sentences that have been most influenced by her advice on the power of concrete details.”
— Peter Torres Fremlin, Disability Debrief
“The best opening paragraph I read this month.”
Disability Debrief on Cripple Punk: The Young Disabled People Smashing Ableism (VICE)
Read Cripple Punk: The Young Disabled People Smashing Ableism in VICE.
Blog
Updates, essays, and talking disability…
‘“BETTER is fantastic. Remarkably compressed, beautifully observed, and very well-acted. The writing is fully convincing.”
Arjun Sajip, Reviews Editor, Sight & Sound on BETTER (BFI, 2023)
What my clients are saying
Here are some testimonials from people I’ve worked with…
"Celestine is an incredibly talented and thoughtful writer who impressed me with her innovative story pitches, research skills and considered editing. She delivered all stories within the assigned deadline, often going the extra mile to keep the client happy. I highly recommend her for article commissions ranging from interviews to in-depth features, case studies and more."
- Michael Edelmann, Strategy and Performance, Tilting the Lens
"We commissioned Celestine to update the Charity’s tone of voice guidelines and mission statement. Celestine effortlessly understood the brief and translated our thoughts into a tangible working document that truly reflects the purpose and passion of the charity. She was a pleasure to work with and I have no doubt that we will be calling upon her expertise again in the future."
- Esi Hardy and Charlie Cooper-Henniker, Trustees, ParaPride
“I cannot recommend Celestine strongly enough as her time and dedication to the charity was second to none. If you are looking for an individual with drive, passion and who will think outside the box then Celestine is the individual you need as part of your team.”
- Patrick McGeough, CEO, Para Dance UK
"I first met Celestine in November 2018 when she came to the BFI to pitch her film 'ill, actually' for the BBC & BFI's Born Digital Short Films project. I was on the judging panel and we had already shortlisted her idea from 450 applications. Celestine impressed us with an original, well thought-out concept that explored an important subject. When her team made the final selection, she demonstrated passion and determination in realising her ambitions for the film under a tight budget and deadline. After the film premiered at the BFI and transmitted on BBC 4, it also deservedly won Best First Film at the Together! 2019 Disability Film Festival.
Celestine combines the tenacity of a producer with the story-telling instincts of a director and she would be an asset to any production."
- Siobhan Logue, Executive Producer, Plimsoll Productions
In September, I went to the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, thanks to Channel 4 and Shaw Trust.