RespectAbility (Disability Belongs)

RespectAbility, now operating under the name Disability Belongs, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing opportunities for people with disabilities across all sectors of American life, with a particularly strong focus on entertainment and media representation. Founded in 2013, the organization has established itself as one of the most influential voices in the fight for authentic disability portrayal in film, television, and digital media. The organization works directly with major studios, networks, and streaming platforms to improve how disability is depicted on screen and to increase employment of people with disabilities behind the camera. Their advocacy extends beyond simple representation metrics to address the quality and authenticity of disability storylines, pushing for narratives that reflect the genuine lived experiences of disabled individuals rather than relying on stereotypes or inspiration narratives.

The organization runs the Hollywood Disability Inclusion Toolkit, which provides producers, writers, directors, and casting professionals with practical guidelines for creating authentic disability content. This toolkit covers everything from script development and character creation to on-set accessibility and inclusive hiring practices. RespectAbility also hosts annual Hollywood Inclusion Summits that bring together entertainment industry leaders, disability advocates, and creative professionals to discuss strategies for advancing disability representation. These summits have become important convening points where industry decision-makers engage directly with disability community members and learn about the business case for inclusive storytelling.

For actors with disabilities, RespectAbility provides a critical advocacy infrastructure that supports their career advancement in an industry that has historically marginalized disabled performers. The organization's lab programs and mentorship initiatives connect emerging disabled talent with established industry professionals who can provide guidance, introductions, and career development support. RespectAbility has been instrumental in pushing the industry toward casting actors with disabilities in disability-specific roles rather than having non-disabled actors portray disabled characters, a practice that has generated significant public discourse. The organization tracks and publishes data on disability representation in entertainment, creating accountability mechanisms that motivate studios and networks to improve their inclusion efforts.

RespectAbility's policy and research arm produces reports and white papers that document the current state of disability representation in media and identify specific areas where improvement is needed. Their annual entertainment industry scorecards assess how well major studios and networks are performing on disability inclusion metrics. The organization also works on broader disability employment issues, recognizing that employment in the entertainment industry is just one aspect of the wider challenge of disability employment in America. Their advocacy has contributed to concrete policy changes within entertainment companies, including the adoption of disability inclusion riders in production contracts and the establishment of disability-focused talent development programs at major studios.

The organization collaborates with other diversity and inclusion organizations to address the intersectional nature of disability representation, recognizing that disabled individuals also belong to racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation minority groups. RespectAbility's training programs educate entertainment industry professionals about disability etiquette, accessibility requirements, and the diversity within the disability community itself. The organization has been particularly effective at framing disability inclusion as a business opportunity rather than merely a social obligation, presenting data on the purchasing power of disabled consumers and the audience demand for authentic disability content. Their work has helped shift industry perceptions from viewing disability inclusion as charitable or politically correct to understanding it as a market-driven imperative.

RespectAbility's resources and programs are available at no cost to entertainment industry professionals, advocates, and individuals with disabilities seeking to engage with their work. The Hollywood Disability Inclusion Toolkit is freely downloadable from their website and does not require registration or payment. Summit events and training sessions are typically offered without charge to participants, funded through the organization's philanthropic support and grants. There are no membership fees or subscription costs associated with accessing RespectAbility's educational materials, research reports, or advocacy resources. This fully free model makes their work accessible to independent creators, small production companies, and individual actors who may not have the resources to pay for diversity consulting services. Compared to paid disability inclusion consultancies that can charge thousands of dollars for training and auditing services, RespectAbility provides a comprehensive and authoritative alternative at no cost.

RespectAbility is an essential resource for actors with disabilities who want to understand the advocacy landscape supporting their careers and connect with an organization that is actively working to expand opportunities in entertainment. Writers, producers, and directors who want to create authentic disability content should start with the Hollywood Disability Inclusion Toolkit before beginning development on any project that features disability themes or characters. Casting directors who want to improve their disability inclusion practices will find RespectAbility's guidelines and training particularly valuable for restructuring their processes to be more accessible and equitable. Entertainment company executives and human resources professionals should engage with the organization's summits and training programs to develop institutional disability inclusion strategies. The organization is most valuable as part of a broader engagement with disability community voices rather than as a single source of disability expertise.

Start by downloading the Hollywood Disability Inclusion Toolkit from the RespectAbility website and reading it thoroughly, as it provides the foundational knowledge needed to approach disability representation responsibly. Sign up for the organization's newsletter to stay informed about upcoming summits, training opportunities, and industry developments related to disability inclusion. If you are an actor with a disability, explore the organization's lab programs and mentorship opportunities, as these provide structured pathways to industry connections and career development. If you are a creator developing a project with disability themes, reach out to RespectAbility early in the development process rather than waiting until production is underway, as their input is most valuable during the writing and casting stages. Follow the organization on social media to engage with the broader disability inclusion conversation in entertainment and learn from the perspectives shared by disabled creators and advocates. Consider volunteering or supporting the organization financially to help sustain the advocacy work that benefits the entire entertainment industry.