- This article explores on-screen representation for disabled individuals in Hollywood, both past and present.
- It discusses Hollywood's current regulations, the need for more inclusivity, and growing protests from disabled writers and actors for authentic representation.
Hollywood, for decades, has had a powerful influence on how society views different groups, be it racial, gendered or disabled. With recent protests led by disabled writers and actors for more accurate on-screen representation, there is a pressing need for Hollywood to address this growing concern.
Historically, representation of disabled individuals in Hollywood has been lacking. When they are represented, often, it has been through stereotypes or played by able-bodied actors, leading to a harmful and inaccurate representation of disabled characters. Such portrayal not only diminishes the visibility of actual disabilities but also restricts the opportunities for disabled actors to display their talents and capabilities.
Regulations in the film industry have attempted to address this issue; yet, real change remains frustratingly slow. The Hollywood Diversity Report indicated only 2.3 percent of all speaking or named characters in film were depicted with a disability in 2019, despite nearly 26 percent of adults in the U.S identifying as having some form of disability. There's a glaring disparity that has put Hollywood under a harsh spotlight.
Comments