Television
Disability on TV has been a controversial topic among the disability community for years. Issues include: how are people with disabilities portrayed, how many characters in TV shows have disabilities, and who plays those characters (an actor with the disability or someone faking it), among others. Today there are some notable actors with disabilities who are starting to change assumptions, most notably Michael J. Fox, CSI's Robert David Hall, Marlee Matlin, Josh Blue, and others. Read about the actors - and shows - that are changing the game in Hollywood.
"People with developmental disabilities are the reporters in MTV's whacky ""How's Your News?"" Opinion on the show is mixed, but the cast forces everyone to take them on their own terms in an interesting, and humorous, about-face."
Cerebral palsy's never mentioned in Breaking Bad, even though supporting actor R. J. Mitte, who has CP, also portrays someone with it. Finally, disability - portrayed by an actor with that disability - is seen as unremarkable.
Quadriplegic actor Jim Troesh has been through the ups and downs of a Hollywood career. Currently pitching his show Hollywood Quad, he encourages people with disabilities to get into the entertainment industry.
Quadriplegic Jim Troesh, The Hollywood Quad, Takes on Television
Geri Jewell's cerebral palsy didn't prevent her from getting her first groundbreaking role on hit show Facts of Life, to appearing as a barkeep on Deadwood.
Articles
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Disability Community Cheers for Ad Starring Wheelchair User Teal Sherer
Wheelchair user Teal Sherer starred in a recent TV spot that promoted doing the responsible thing rather than taking the easy way out. Despite obstacles, no one "rescues" her; instead, she overcomes...
Marlee Matlin Kicks Up Her Heels on "Dancing with the Stars"
Deaf actress Marlee Matlin gives advice on how to encourage special-needs children to put their stamp on the world while discussing her successful Dance with the Stars experience.
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Robert David Hall is best known in his role as Coroner Dr. Albert Robbins on the hit show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. However, few know that Hall lost his legs in a car accident in 1978 and has...
Family Guy's Joe Swanson: Animated Hero
When macho wheelchair user Joe Swanson rolled onto Family Guy, disability stereotypes rolled out the door. No one tiptoes around Joe's spinal cord injury, his superman physique, or his personal...
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