SAG-AFTRA Sheds Light on Challenges Faced by Disabled Actors in Entertainment Industry
SAG-AFTRA has recently released three advocacy videos to bring attention to the obstacles disabled actors encounter while pursuing and auditioning for roles in the entertainment industry. These videos are part of the union’s “Inclusion: Time to Get Real” campaign, which was launched in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
The primary objective of these videos is to highlight the underrepresentation of people with disabilities in television and film. A Nielsen study revealed that in 2022, individuals with disabilities accounted for 8.8% of screen time, with only 0.4% of those having visible disabilities.
Christine Bruno, chair of the National Performers with Disabilities Committee, emphasized the disparity in opportunities for disabled performers in the industry. She stated, “People with disabilities make up nearly 26 percent of the nation’s population, yet they are among the least represented in entertainment and media. National Disability Employment Awareness Month not only celebrates the work of performers with disabilities but also aims to address the inaccurate portrayals of disability in the industry.”
The three advocacy videos produced by SAG-AFTRA are as follows:
1. “True Cringe” featuring Michelle Hurd, Jason T. Gaffney, Michale Bunin, and Khristina LaMonte, with audio description by Jack Patterson.
2. “Can’t Do What?” featuring Jason George, Angel Giuffria, and Brian Dietzen, with audio description by Nicole Cyrille.
3. “You Are So Brave” featuring Jeri Ryan, Toni Nelli, Sarah Anne Masse, and Diana Elizabeth Jordan, with audio description by Nicole Cyrille.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator, commended the Performers with Disabilities Committee for addressing crucial issues within the industry through these short films. He affirmed SAG-AFTRA’s commitment to advocating for the needs of performers and other workers with disabilities not only during National Disability Employment Awareness Month but year-round.
These advocacy videos serve as a reminder of the importance of authentic representation and inclusivity in the entertainment industry. SAG-AFTRA’s efforts to amplify the voices of disabled performers are crucial in creating a more equitable and diverse landscape in TV and film.
