Neurodiversity and neurodivergence may feel like buzz words that are thrown around, but what do they mean, and why does it matter?
In this session, neurodivergent experts from Disability Belongs™ shared their own perspectives on what it means to be neurodivergent, why authentic representation of neurodivergence is necessary, and how employers, educators, and allies can foster and cultivate an inclusive environment where big brain energy can thrive. [continue reading…]
Following the pandemic and strikes, getting a job in the entertainment industry is increasingly difficult. Disability Belongs™ hosted a series of conversations with two studio partners to learn about ways in which they are trying to help disabled creatives find employment. The first conversation, shared above, featured Warner Bros. Discovery’s Grace Moss (VP, DEI Pipeline Programs), moderated by Disability Belongs™’ Lauren Appelbaum. The second conversation, which is only available to people who registered for the live event, featured DreamWorks Animation’s Sarah Park (Recruiter, Early Career Programs & Diversity Outreach), moderated by Disability Belongs™’ Lawon Exum.
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With one-in-five people having a disability in the U.S. today, the lack of representation – less than two percent in children’s television – means that millions of children are unable to see themselves in media today. DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures, and Amblin Entertainment’s “Jurassic World: Chaos Theory” is helping to ensure more representation. At the end of Season 1, viewers learned that Brooklynn has lost her arm and is now an amputee. In Season 2, now streaming on Netflix, viewers will learn what Brooklynn has been doing. [continue reading…]
“Cleft Hood,” a new episode of Disney Junior’s hit series “Firebuds”, introduced Castor, a vehicle character born with a cleft hood. The episode was written by Emmy-Award winner Jeremy Shipp and inspired by his own son, Henry, who was born with a cleft lip and palate. Henry also voiced Castor in the episode.
Following a screening of the episode was a Q&A with Jeremy and Henry, as well as “Firebuds” creator/executive producer, Craig Gerber, speaking to the importance of onscreen representation. The conversation was moderated by Lauren Appelbaum from RespectAbility, who advised on the episode.
In recognition of Black History Month 2023, RespectAbility was excited to continue our “Black Excellence” series featuring a conversation with Black and Disabled filmmakers in our network who discussed their film work and creative careers. Moderated by Diane J. Wright (Writer and Development Consultant), we also amplified the work of featured panelists Juliet Romeo (Filmmaker and Festival Programmer), Cashmere Jasmine (Writer and Director), Nikki Bailey (Performer, Author, and Producer), Erika Ellis (Writer), Nasreen Alkhateeb (Filmmaker), and Tameka Citchen-Spruce (Filmmaker). [continue reading…]
BRIC Foundation and RespectAbility presented: “Disability Inclusion in Entertainment: Beyond the Pipeline,” a conversation about breaking into the entertainment industry and building community as creative professionals with disabilities. The event was moderated by Lesley Hennen (Writer, Entertainment & News Media Associate at RespectAbility), and featured panelists Jeremy Hsing (Writer, RespectAbility Entertainment Apprentice and Lab Alumnus), Samuel Krauss (Writer, RespectAbility Entertainment Apprentice and Lab Alumnus), and Myles Hunt (Visual Artist, Writer, and RespectAbility Lab Alumnus). They discussed navigating the Entertainment industry, why their voices are important, and details of the Entertainment Labs and other leadership programs that RespectAbility has to offer. [continue reading…]
With one-in-five people having a disability in the U.S. today, the lack of representation – less than one percent in children’s television – means that millions of children are unable to see themselves in media today. Furthermore, when representation exists, a great deal of disability representation on screen is of white males. By introducing a female Black character who uses a wheelchair, Disney Junior’s Firebuds, which premiered Sept. 21 on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney+, is ensuring that a population, which is often overlooked, is represented.
Set in a fantastical world where talking vehicles live, work, and play with the humans who drive them, Lauren “Lolo” Spencer, who has muscular dystrophy, voices Jazmyn ‘Jazzy’ Jones, a young Black girl with spina bifida. Jazzy’s older brother Jayden is part of a group of first responder friends who help others in their community. Throughout the series, Jazzy is included in a variety of ways as Jayden’s younger sister, who drives a combination wheelchair and automobile.
Watch Lolo Spencer and series creator and executive producer Craig Gerber have a conversation with RespectAbility’s Lauren Appelbaum and Vanni Le, who worked with the team to ensure authentic disability representation in Jazzy and other characters featured throughout the fictional towns of Gearbox Grove and nearby Motopolis where the series takes place. [continue reading…]
Throughout the month of October 2022, join RespectAbility for a virtual celebration including panel conversations and networking opportunities as we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Please note that some sessions are open only to entertainment industry creatives who identify as deaf or disabled, as we seek to continue to build community. ASL Interpretation and Live Captioning will be available for this event.
NBCU LAUNCH and RespectAbility presented LAUNCH TALKS: THE MAKING OF QUEER AS FOLK (Peacock), a conversation with Stephen Dunn (Showrunner), Ryan O’Connell (Actor & Writer), and Andrew Gurza (Actor & Consultant). They discussed the reimagining of the groundbreaking queer drama series and the importance of authentic and intersectional representation in front of and behind the camera. [continue reading…]
