Disability in Film & TV Guide

The Disability in Film and TV Guide is a resource card that compiles key information about the current state of disability representation in entertainment. It highlights organizations, initiatives, and best practices aimed at increasing authentic portrayals of people with disabilities.

The guide addresses common issues such as the casting of non-disabled actors in disabled roles and the lack of disabled writers and directors in decision-making positions. It provides context for why these patterns persist and what steps are being taken to change them.

For actors with disabilities, the guide serves as a roadmap to organizations and advocacy groups that can provide support, community, and career opportunities. For all actors, it offers an education in the importance of authentic representation.

The guide is free to access and does not require registration. It is designed as a concise reference that can be revisited as needed.

Understanding disability representation in entertainment is important for every actor, whether or not they personally identify as disabled. This guide is a quick and informative entry point into the conversation. The resource also connects readers to specific organizations and initiatives they can support or join, transforming passive awareness into active engagement. Its curated list of advocacy groups serves as a practical directory for anyone looking to contribute to meaningful change in how disability is portrayed on screen.

The Disability in Film and TV Guide is entirely free to access, with no registration, membership fees, or paid content tiers. All information, organization directories, and best practice recommendations are available immediately to any visitor. There are no premium versions, downloadable paid resources, or subscription requirements associated with this guide. Compared to attending disability representation workshops or conferences, which can cost between fifty and several hundred dollars, this guide provides a solid foundation of knowledge at zero cost. The resource is maintained as a public educational tool rather than a commercial product, which enhances its credibility as an unbiased reference. For production companies looking to improve their disability representation practices, this free guide can serve as a starting point before investing in paid consultants or training programs.

The Disability in Film and TV Guide is recommended for every actor and industry professional regardless of whether they personally identify as disabled, as disability representation affects the entire entertainment ecosystem. It is particularly valuable for writers, directors, and casting professionals who make decisions about how disabled characters are portrayed and who is cast to play them. Actors with disabilities should use the guide as a directory of advocacy organizations and community resources that can support their careers and amplify their voices. Production companies seeking to improve their practices will find the best practice recommendations a useful starting framework, though they should supplement with direct consultation from disability community members. For actors who have been asked to portray a disabled character, the guide provides essential context for approaching the role responsibly. If you are already deeply engaged in disability advocacy in entertainment, the guide may be too introductory, but it remains a valuable resource to share with colleagues who are just beginning to educate themselves.

After reading the guide, choose at least one organization from its directory to follow, support, or get involved with, as sustained engagement is more impactful than one-time awareness. If you are a non-disabled actor who has been offered a role as a disabled character, use the guide's resources to educate yourself about the ongoing debate around authentic casting before accepting. Share the guide with your agent, manager, and fellow cast members to normalize conversations about disability representation within your professional circle. Use the best practice recommendations as a checklist when evaluating scripts and projects, asking whether disabled characters are written with depth and whether disabled performers were considered for the roles. Follow the research organizations referenced in the guide to stay current on data and trends in disability representation, as the landscape is evolving rapidly. When advocating for better representation, lead with the data and organizational resources from the guide rather than relying solely on personal opinion, as evidence-based arguments carry more weight in industry conversations.