Disabilities on Screen: Representation in Hollywood. Continued

How Representation is Furthering a Movement

The more depiction we see on the big screen, the more accepted the concept of disability becomes. For actors with disabilities, representation is important. It gives them more chances to act on the big screen. As well, it means that actors with disabilities can be cast in roles of characters that are not disabled. Rather than say who’s right or wrong, it’s more about what’s fair. If actors can play people with disabilities, then actors with disabilities can play characters without them. For instance, Leslie Nelson, who is hearing impaired, played a hearing detective in the Naked Gun series. Robert David Hall, who is a double amputee, played a nonamputee doctor on CSI.

There is a push from the disabled community to increase disabilities on screen representation in Hollywood. Representation promotes positivity and equality. With this in mind, more films should have actors or positive characters with disabilities. This will help people see those with disabilities as real people and promote equality and inclusivity.