Living in New York City can be considered one of resilience, especially for someone like me, a woman in her 40s who uses a wheelchair. Despite my overall skepticism about the city's commitment to disability rights and disabled lives, I still love it fiercely. From the potholes that shake my wheelchair to the crowded sidewalks where I make my presence felt, the everyday can be challenging, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Attending this year’s ReelAbilities New York Film Festival in April, I found myself reflecting on the importance of representation in the arts. Since its launch in 2007, the festival - dedicated to showcasing the stories of disabled lives and work - remains a shining light in an industry often lacking in authentic portrayals of disability. The fact that the festival exists makes me feel surrounded by a community that understands the complexities of navigating a world that frequently overlooks us. It was more than just a gathering; it was a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling.
The festival's mission resonated deeply with me. I was struck by the diversity of experiences and the common thread of strength and determination. These stories were not just about overcoming obstacles; they were about living life fully and authentically. They reminded me why representation matters and how powerful it can be in changing perceptions and fostering empathy.
When disabled people see themselves accurately portrayed on screen, it affirms our experiences and fosters a sense of belonging. According to GLAAD's Media Representation reports, fewer than 3% of regular characters on primetime TV have disabilities - a stark underrepresentation given that nearly 20% of Americans have at least one disability. But it's not just about the characters on screen; it's also about who gets to tell these stories. Behind the camera, disabled writers, directors, and producers bring invaluable perspectives to their work. Their lived experiences inform their storytelling, resulting in more authentic and resonant narratives. That’s why initiatives like the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (now in its 11th year) are crucial to providing a platform for these voices, fostering a new generation of storytellers who can shape the future of media representation.
As the disability rights movement of the 1970s and 1980s found its feet, films like Children of a Lesser Godand Born on the Fourth of July brought the experiences of disabled characters to the public consciousness, highlighting their struggles and achievements. Yet the industry continues to rely on non-disabled actors for disabled roles, and many stories still focus on disability as a source of tragedy or inspiration, rather than as a natural part of the human experience.
Today, there is a growing recognition of the need for genuine representation. The success of shows like Speechless which featured Micah Fowler, an actor with cerebral palsy, and Atypical, which explores the life of a teenager on the autism spectrum, demonstrates that audiences are hungry for more authentic portrayals of disability. This makes in-person and virtual festivals like ReelAbilities and the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge more meaningful and impactful each year, as they continue to offer powerful platforms for disabled voices and creators.
Here’s a look at some of the recently announced winners of the 2024 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge that ran from April 2nd to April 7th - each showcasing a wide array of talent as usual:
- Call the A.D.A.: Written by David Radcliff, who took home the Best Writer award for this film. I felt a kinship with the characters and humor, reflecting on my own experiences navigating a world that often feels indifferent to and dismissive of disability. And using the characters existential crisis to subtly explore whether the A.D.A actually has any teeth was very funny and clever.
- The Case of the Obsidian Muskrat: Chase Chambers won Best Editor for this nod to noir detective stories.
- Emergency Contact: Watching Kiersten Kelly in this hilarious take on an awkward conversation with an ex, it’s easy to see why she won Best Actor. I really felt her panic and regret - she’s a literal scene stealer.
- Audio Description: The Best Film winner is equal parts emotive and amusing, as it explores the social importance of audio description by having the film’s own audio describer enter into a dialogue with its main character. Watching these innovative short films is a reminder of how funding opportunities for disabled artists are scarce. Grants and sponsorships are hard to come by, and many disabled creators struggle to find the financial support needed to bring their projects to life. This lack of funding limits the production of new works and hampers the professional development of disabled artists. Without adequate resources, many talented individuals are unable to reach their full potential.
Representation in decision-making roles is another critical issue. Disabled people are still often excluded from positions of power within the arts and entertainment industry. This exclusion perpetuates a cycle of underrepresentation and bias, as the perspectives of disabled people are overlooked in the decision-making process. To create a truly inclusive industry, it is essential to ensure that disabled voices are heard at all levels - from production to executive leadership.
These challenges highlight the urgent need for systemic change. Advocacy and activism play crucial roles in pushing for greater accessibility and inclusion. By raising awareness and demanding better representation, we can begin to dismantle the barriers that hinder disabled artists. The ReelAbilities Film Festival and the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge are important steps in this direction, but there is still a long way to go. But of course, there’s good news too.
Assistive devices and software have revolutionized the creative process for disabled artists. Tools like voice recognition software, eye-tracking technology, and adaptive keyboards break down barriers to creativity, allowing disabled artists to fully express their talents. Storytelling is a powerful tool for changing perceptions and fostering empathy. Through the lens of disability, stories can challenge stereotypes and highlight diverse experiences. Work by disabled women like Alice Wong and Maysoon Zayid demonstrate how narratives can shift societal attitudes.
The arts and entertainment industry has the potential to lead the way in disability inclusion, but it requires a concerted effort from us all - particularly as a recent study from FilmDis found that, even in the post-pandemic era, the majority of disabled characters on screen were still represented through bit characters and minor roles. The ReelAbilities Film Festival and the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge demonstrate the transformative power of inclusive storytelling and the importance of representation.
About the Author: Alejandra Ospina is a fellow with The Loreen Arbus Accessibility is Fundamental Program, a fellowship created with Women’s eNews to train women with disabilities as professional journalists so that they may write, research and report on the most crucial issues impacting the disabilities community.
