SAG-AFTRA has launched a new video series highlighting the challenges faced by disabled actors in the entertainment industry. The three videos are part of the union’s “Inclusion: Time to Get Real” campaign, which coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
The initiative aims to showcase the underrepresentation and misrepresentation of people with disabilities in film and television. A Nielsen study from 2022 found that individuals with disabilities accounted for only 8.8% of screen time, and those with visible disabilities represented a mere 0.4%. Christine Bruno, chair of the National Performers with Disabilities Committee, emphasized that disabled performers are America’s largest minority, making up nearly 26% of the population. Despite this, they lack equal opportunities in entertainment.
Bruno stated, “National Disability Employment Awareness Month not only celebrates the work of performers with disabilities but also highlights inaccurate portrayals of disability. It calls for the industry to make necessary changes for authentic representation.”
The video series features several segments, including “True Cringe,” which stars Michelle Hurd and Jason T. Gaffney, and “Can’t Do What?” featuring Jason George and Angel Giuffria. These videos aim to address common stereotypes about disabled performers.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director, praised the Performers with Disabilities Committee for their efforts in creating these impactful films. He stated that SAG-AFTRA is committed to advocating for disabled performers not just during National Disability Employment Awareness Month but year-round.
The series was introduced during a virtual press briefing led by Bruno and other committee members, who discussed the importance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and shared personal experiences as performers with disabilities.
The “Inclusion: Time to Get Real” video series includes three vignettes at launch, with two more set to be released throughout October. All videos will be available in English, Spanish, and with audio descriptions. The committee hopes these videos will inspire change within the industry by challenging misconceptions about suitable roles for disabled performers.
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