From left: Zayre Ferrer, Monica Cecilia Lucas and Gisselle Legere.
In the vibrant tapestry of our society, the disabled community weaves a narrative often left unexplored, yet profoundly impactful. As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, let’s delve into the realms of representation, adaptability, and the stark disparities in political representation for disabled individuals.
“Roughly 20% of Americans live with a disability, yet less than 1% of Hollywood writers are disabled,” a stark revelation from the Inevitable Foundation. The recent Writers Guild of America West deal, promises to address specific issues impacting disabled writers in Hollywood most. Gisselle Legere, a Cuban American writer, heralded the WGA’s victory in setting a minimum number of writers who must be staffed on shows as the “biggest win,” illuminating a path toward more inclusive representation in the writers' rooms.
In the political arena, the narrative unfolds similarly, yet with its unique challenges. ChrisTiana ObeySumner MPA, MNPL, a multi-disabled Seattle City Council candidate, embodies the resilience and determination that disabled candidates bring to the political table. Yet, systemic barriers and ableist backlash often stymie their journey. A mere one in 10 elected officials have disabilities, according to a 2018 study from Rutgers University, underscoring a glaring disparity in representation that demands our attention and action.
Sarah Blahovec, co-founder of Disability Victory, astutely observes, “Disabled people are adaptable. We’re creative. We’re problem-solvers. And we’re resilient because every day we navigate a society that is not built for our needs.” These are not just qualities; they are a testament to the untapped potential that disabled individuals bring to leadership roles in every sphere of our society.
As we navigate through NDEAM, let’s champion for more than just hiring or electing disabled individuals. Let’s advocate for providing an upward path toward mobility in their jobs, giving them a chance to flourish, and arming them with the tools they need to be successful. Let’s ensure that the diverse pool of disability is represented in all decision-making rooms, from the board room, to the writers room, to elections. We need to be in the room where it happens.
In the spirit of fostering a society where every thread is valued, let’s weave a narrative where disability is not seen through a lens of limitation, but a spectrum of possibilities and diverse perspectives. Let’s be the catalysts for a future where equity is not just a metric but a lived reality.
What the WGA deal with Hollywood studios means to writers with disabilities