Last Friday, the Screen Actors Guild announced the latest data on disabled casting in movies and TV, and the press release subtitle says it all: Latest Casting Data Follows Historical Trends and Continues to Exclude People with Disabilities.
Under SAG rules, producers have to release data on casting of minorities, but they aren’t required to meet any quotas. The press release goes on to say that the few disabled performers who were cast over the past year tended to be cast in supporting, not starring, roles. No feces, Sherlock.
There’s a (kinda) bright side: at least SAG is taking note, recognizing that “people with disabilities remain virtually invisible in entertainment media.” SAG’s president Ken Howard released a statement saying that “the diverse and multicultural world we live in today is still not accurately reflected in the portrayals we see on the screen. We will continue to work with producers, hiring executives and industry professionals in accurately portraying the American scene by ensuring equal access to employment opportunities for all of our members.”
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