Film festivals can be a great place for filmmakers to share their work with live audiences and network with other industry members; however, many film festivals are not fully accessible. This session was led by Juliet Romeo, filmmaker and founder of the UNSTOPPABLE Films program promoting disability and diversity inclusion in film. The program made [click to continue...]
Securing a job as a TV writer can be an overwhelming and complicated process for anyone trying to break into the industry, and many disabled writers face additional barriers along the way. However, as the industry is gradually becoming more inclusive and accessible, more and more disabled writers are being hired in TV writers’ rooms [click to continue...]
Read transcript Read the report Learn about new research from UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers. Explore the results of a new nationwide survey. What do disabled U.S. audiences think of representation on screen? Speakers Amanda Aguero, Production Assistant, 2nd Assistant Director, Script Supervisor, Stunt Woman and Actress; Alumna of 2021 RespectAbility Entertainment Lab Maira [click to continue...]
Read transcript Neurodiversity, system collaborations and transition services for youth with disabilities are some of the most cutting-edge topics in the wider world of disability employment. Fostering cooperation between different programs is critical for achieving transformative results for people with significant barriers to employment. The Neurodiversity at Work programs at the Kennedy Krieger Institute is [click to continue...]
Actor and RespectAbility Lab alumnus Kurt Yaeger discussed how creators, showrunners, and industry executives can ensure inclusion and allyship for actors with disabilities, using his personal experiences working on season 2 of Netflix’s sci-fi space drama Another Life as an example of best practice. Yaeger played Dillon Conner, a military engineer who lost one of [click to continue...]
As we push for more authentic representation for disabled people on-screen, it’s important to push for more accessible sets and working environments for everyone behind the camera, Disability education in production, and community connections that bring authenticity to the stories we tell. RespectAbility Fellow, 2020 Summer Lab alum, and media industry activist, Kiah Amara led [click to continue...]
Read transcript This panel was a conversation with actor, James Caverly and ASL consultant, Douglas Ridloff, of Hulu’s hit murder mystery series, Only Murders in the Building, moderated by Deaf producer, writer, and director, Jevon Whetter (Flash Before the Bang). Together the group unpacked James’ recent experience as a Deaf actor portraying a Deaf character in Only Murders in the Building, and Douglas’ experience as [click to continue...]
As disabled creatives, the process of balancing professional and personal goals while also keeping up with the many “to-do’s” of daily life can often feel overwhelming. Writer, producer, and RespectAbility’s Entertainment & News Media Associate Lesley Hennen led a workshop focused on intentional goal setting. Together we worked toward building a sustainable and achievable path [click to continue...]
The entertainment and media space is challenging to navigate, especially when your identities are intersectional. This session was designed to create and cultivate connections among fellow disabled Black women creatives to support and learn from one another how to shine unapologetically through our work. This session was particularly designed to create a safe space for [click to continue...]
Los Angeles, CA, October 8 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community, is announcing the launch of a new Faith and Disability Inclusion survey. They are hoping that anyone who has any connection to disability and any connection to [click to continue...]
