The new animated Disney movie WISH is opening today in theaters nationwide. The film centers on Asha, a 17-year-old who stands for an injustice in her kingdom. Asha’s best friend Dahlia is a disabled teen, yet the film does not go into details about her disability.
Instead, viewers see Dahlia having an important job – running the palace bakery and leading six other teenage characters who work with her in the palace – and playing an integral role in helping Asha – and their entire friend group – succeed in their mission.
Jennifer Kumiyama
Dahlia is not defined by her cerebrovascular disease, subtly indicated by her crutch and gait. Jennifer Kumiyama was authentically cast for the role Dahlia.
RespectAbility was proud to provide a variety of consulting advice throughout production, including ensuring the proper animation of Dahlia’s crutch, walking sequence, and more.
“It was truly an honor to have the support of RespectAbility and Disney to work on Dahlia,” says Maddy Ullman, a RespectAbility authenticity consultant. “As an Asian-American woman who uses a mobility aid, I never thought I would see all facets of my identity represented like this. If little Maddy saw Dahlia, it would’ve changed my life.”
Story artist Tom Caulfield, who has multiple sclerosis, also shared his professional expertise and personal experience with the production team and played an invaluable role in the character’s development. “People with disabilities aren’t very visible in these kinds of stories,” he said. “Our community is seen through the eyes of non-disabled people. But when I read the script, I was so happy that Dahlia is so capable. What she can do, she probably will do. If she needs help, she’ll ask for it.”
“With the most recent statistics showing that just 1.9% of all speaking characters in 100 of the top-grossing films in 2022 were shown as disabled, WISH is an important film in helping to change these statistics by featuring Dahlia,” said Lauren Appelbaum, RespectAbility’s SVP of Entertainment and News Media. “WISH has both authentically cast this character and had disabled individuals working behind the camera to ensure true authenticity and representation. WISH’s Dahlia is a truly intersectional representation of disability that is so needed in society today.”
Cultural Consultants from RespectAbility (L-R) Maddy Ullman, Vanni Le, Erica Mones, and Lauren Appelbaum, with The League’s Kristen Marston and Disney’s Kathy Le Backes, at the premiere of WISH
