Washington, D.C., May 10 – As the disability community continues to feel the transformative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the disability advocacy nonprofit RespectAbility announces that Ariel Simms (they/them or she/her) has been named President and Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Ariel will foster new growth and opportunities, as part of a renewed vision [click to continue...]
Toronto, May 6 – Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), in partnership with the Canadian Media Fund (CMF) and Telefilm Canada, is launching a Disability Screen Office (DSO) in Canada to eliminate accessibility barriers and support and amplify disabled creatives. “It became apparent that there is currently no single program, incentive, or regulation that can cause the [click to continue...]
Los Angeles, CA, April 22 – Natalie Trevonne returns to Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, playing Seven, a blind 19-year-old who is removed from her normal life after finding out she’s the next slayer and the only one who can save the world. Not fully understanding her true destiny, tensions run high as she trains with [click to continue...]
Los Angeles, CA, April 22 – Each year, John Lawson looks forward to participating in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, assembling a team of disabled actors and filmmakers working alongside allies to create a short film in less than a week. Filmmakers are given a theme to focus on in their projects, and the theme [click to continue...]
Setting the theme of ‘Connection,’ RespectAbility and more than 1400 companies and organizations will drive calls to action to address the surge of loneliness and isolation felt by millions as a result of the pandemic Learn more at www.MentalHealthActionDay.org Los Angeles, April 1 – RespectAbility announces today its participation in the second-annual Mental Health Action [click to continue...]
Los Angeles, March 28 – “This is dedicated to the Deaf community, the CODA community, the disabled community. This is our moment,” Troy Kotsur said when making history after winning the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for CODA. Indeed, it was Kotsur’s – and the deaf and disability community’s – moment during [click to continue...]
Los Angeles, Feb. 28 – In honor of Black History Month, RespectAbility, a diverse, disability-led nonprofit that works to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities, produced a new PSA campaign featuring Black disabled creatives. All month, this PSA has been in rotation on WarnerMedia’s platforms including HBO Max AVOD [click to continue...]
Los Angeles, Feb. 17 – A new report by GLAAD found that the number of series regular characters with disabilities counted on primetime broadcast TV decreased, down to 2.8% (22 of 775) from a record high of 3.5% last year and 3.1% the year before. The number of characters counted also fell, from 27 to 22. [click to continue...]
We are happy to welcome Dr. Deborah Fisher as Interim CEO to assist with RespectAbility’s transition. Dr. Fisher is well known and respected in the disability and nonprofit community. She has been working with multiple members of RespectAbility’s leadership team for several years as an executive coach. She will report to RespectAbility’s Board of Directors through the [click to continue...]
Los Angeles, CA, February 13 – As many fans are gearing up to watch the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals face off at Super Bowl LVI, just as many viewers are looking forward to the commercials. Television advertising plays a major role in shaping how people with disabilities are portrayed in the mass media. [click to continue...]
