Visibility for Disability: A Silver Lining for the Film Industry’s Disabled Community

In the past, making it as an actor with a disability was nearly impossible. The disabled community has consistently spoken up about being misrepresented in the media, and yet filmmakers have still struggled to portray them in a positive light. However, things are finally changing for the better. Increasingly, disabled people and actors are landing roles in films that depict them as strong, interesting, and beautiful as opposed to someone perpetually in need of being rescued.

The number of disabled actors being hired are currently sitting at an all-time high, and even the characters being played by non-disabled actors are receiving more positive attention. Disability representation in modern media is finally changing for the better.

All-Time Historic High For Leading Characters With Disabilities

A recent study found over the past decade, the number of films and TV series featuring disabled actors or characters has almost tripled. Breaking Bad set a new benchmark when RJ Mitte played Walter “Flynn” White Jr, as both the actor and character have cerebral palsy. For Mitte it was a chance to bust stereotypes and show the world how the neurologic condition that causes impaired motor function didn’t exclude him from living a normal life.

The 2022 Oscar Nominations were also peppered with first-time accomplishments for the disabled community, including Troy Kotsur’s nomination for Best Actor in the film CODA, which made him the first deaf man and second deaf actor to receive an Academy Award nomination. Ever since the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag started circulating in around 2015, the Hollywood film industry has actively started taking steps towards a more diverse and inclusive crowd of nominees. In 2021, there were nearly 30 Oscar nominations for disabled characters, which marks a huge leap in progress for the level of representation for the disabled community.

Creating Waves Of Change

As the disabled community starts to receive more positive attention, everything from inclusive organizations to tool-kits are being created to help boost disability representation in the media. For example, the Hollywood Disability Inclusion Toolkit was created by Lauren Applebaum, who is providing educational resources for film producers and directors who want to create more diverse and inclusive films. Applebaum believes that, “including a character with a disability must be an intentional effort.”

Media content that accurately depicts disabled characters is important for destigmatizing the misconceptions society has around disability, and providing young disabled people with positive role models. A new content creation agency called ADA30 Production has also recently emerged, touting a crew, cast, and social media team that is 100% disabled. They have gone on to produce a number of successful shows such as Black Future Month: Legacy, Present & Afro-Futurism and Lead On: Celebration of Disability Arts, Culture, Education & Pride. These progressive, moving shows have earned ADA30 Production the 2021 Audience Honors Shorty Award.

Positive Outlook For The Future Of Disabled Actors

Despite a rocky history with disability representation, the film industry seems to be finally be listening to what has been said by the disabled community all along: that great actors don’t need to be able-bodied to be successful, and featuring a more diverse crew can set the tone for even more evocative and compelling films.