As a person who has spent a significant portion of my life navigating the able-bodied world, I wholeheartedly agree with the insights and recommendations presented by Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska of the Inevitable Foundation. The potential for untapped success in engaging the global disability audience is not just a matter of social justice or ticking diversity boxes; it’s a golden opportunity to expand our collective imagination, foster empathy, and boost profits.
A collection of professionals from the entertainment industry, including directors, screenwriters, producers, and showrunners, have agreed to endorse a public statement initiated by the Inevitable Foundation. The letter urges Hollywood to support and promote more projects that authentically portray characters with disabilities for both informative and entertaining purposes. Notable figures among the signatories include Sian Heder (director of “Coda”), Alyssa Milano, Ramy Youssef, Rachel Bloom, Marlee Matlin, Alexander Woo (showrunner of “Three Body Problem”), and Millicent Simmonds (star of “A Quiet Place Part II”).
1. The letter additionally advocates for gathering additional information about media portraying individuals with disabilities and ensuring that entertainment platforms cater to everyone’s needs. The Unstoppable Foundation supports disabled authors and filmmakers, empowering them to attain both artistic and financial independence while utilizing movies and television to eradicate the stigma surrounding disability and mental health on a global scale.
Read the letter below:
Hey Hollywood,
A significant, dedicated, and actively involved group of viewers and consumers exist globally within the entertainment industry, yet they continue to be largely ignored or unattended.
Growing up in a small, tight-knit town, I was always aware of the diverse community that surrounded me. From the bustling cityscape of the coast to the tranquil landscapes of rural areas, our community stretched far and wide. As I grew older, I realized that this community encompassed a vast array of political and religious beliefs. It wasn’t until I left my hometown and ventured out into the world that I truly understood the depth and breadth of this expansive group. My experiences have shown me that our community is not defined by geographical boundaries or shared ideologies, but rather by a common thread of diversity and unity.
An audience, due to its vast expanse, combined purchasing ability, and impact, deserves a wide array of top-notch entertainment options at their disposal.
But they have simply been ignored.
We’re discussing the vast international community of individuals living with disabilities, numbering over a billion.
In an industry that places such a strong emphasis on earnings from theaters and streaming platforms, making decisions like this can be quite puzzling.
Approximately one quarter of Americans have some form of disability, ranging from physical impairments, hidden conditions, developmental disabilities, neurodiversity, mental health issues, chronic illnesses, and sensory disabilities such as Deafness, hearing loss, blindness, or visual impairment. More than 20 million households in the United States include at least one individual with a disability. This significantly overlooked demographic spends around $21 billion annually on discretionary income. Notably, this group is expanding – Gen Z is 71% less likely to report good mental health compared to Millennials, and currently, one in three young adults aged 18-24 experience a mental health issue, which has increased from one in four in the year 2000.
In pondering my entertainment choices – be it on TV, streaming services, or at the cinema – I find myself constrained, regrettably so, when seeking narratives that not only captivate me but also resonate with who I am.
66% of audience members, whether they have disabilities or not, express dissatisfaction with how disability and mental health are portrayed in films and television. Moreover, about 20% of adult viewers would consider subscribing to a new streaming platform and attending more theater screenings if the content presented genuine representations of individuals with disabilities and mental health issues.
Considering the vastness of this worldwide audience, one might anticipate that Hollywood would heavily invest in appealing and entertaining this demographic. One would expect a continuous flow of new movies and shows every week, tailored to captivate and amuse this massive group.
- CREATIVES: Hire disabled writers and filmmakers whose projects can help you tap into this massive underserved audience. Disabled audiences can tell when stories were made for them, but not by them, as most prior attempts have been. It’s time to develop and greenlight a wave of commercial stories across every genre and format that appeal to this audience.
- IP: Invest in IP from disabled authors, game designers, comic book artists and journalists. While there is a growing belief that most of the valuable IP for Hollywood has already been picked over, there is a sizable and valuable segment of the market no one is paying attention to: IP from disabled writers and creatives. It’s time to invest in this IP to build the next global franchises.
- CREATIVE EXECUTIVES: Hire disabled creative executives to shepherd these projects towards success. Too many non-disabled decision makers are either shutting down promising projects or pushing forward ones that most disabled people could immediately tell you will not resonate with disabled audiences. It’s time to invest in a new generation of disabled creatives executives and set them up for success across studios, networks and streamers.
- DATA COLLECTION: Invest in data collection and tracking for disabled audiences. Right now, few streaming services are prioritizing the tracking of disabled audiences’ viewership habits. Few movies are tested in front of disabled audiences, and this audience is entirely left out of box office tracking surveys and systems. It’s time to invest in the data and insight infrastructure to support this audience, given how many creative and business decisions are made using this information.
- MARKETING: Put real marketing muscle behind the distribution of these projects. Disabled audiences are statistically some of the most engaged consumers (see: Disability TikTok) and they are astutely aware of condescension, tokenism, exploitation, and virtue signaling. It’s time to speak to them authentically and engage with them as the sophisticated, loyal consumers that they are—and ensure that these projects get respectable marketing budgets to spread the word.
- ACCESSIBILITY: Invest in accessible premieres and screening venues so disabled audiences can show up. Too many theaters, festivals, and online platforms don’t prioritize, or even consider, accessibility, and it’s no wonder the audience doesn’t show up there— they literally can’t. It’s time to invest in accessibility so this audience can show up. If you build it, they will come.
Reaching out to the Global Disability Community doesn’t necessarily require your (possibly resource-limited) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team. It’s not about investing in this audience just to fulfill a requirement, generate empathy, or even because it’s morally correct.
1. This group offers significant financial potential as they have a strong desire for entertainment and ample funds to spare. A bare minimum investment in the worldwide disability market aligns with your corporate goals. (Paraphrased)
So what are you waiting for?
Sincerely,Richie Siegel
Marisa Torelli-Pedevska Co-Founders, Inevitable Foundation
I’m fortunate to have the backing of an incredible group of individuals, including Adam Conover, Aisling Bea, Alexander Woo, Ali Stroker, Alyssa Milano, Ben Watkins, Brandon Sonnier, Carol Barbee, Craig Thomas, Chris Cooper & Marianne Leone, Dara Resnick, David Nutter, Eddy Kitsis, Ginger Gonzaga, Jason Katims, Jack Thorne, Jen Statsky, Jillian Mercado, Jorge Gutierrez, Kiera Allen, Lauren Ridloff, Lauren “Lolo” Spencer, Marlee Matlin, Mickey Sumner, Millicent Simmonds, and Nyle DiMarco. Their support means the world to me!
Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello Paul Feig Rachel Bloom Ramy YoussefRick GlassmanRob Delaney Samara Weaving Sammi Haney Sian HederSteve Way Tim Omundson
Troian Bellisario
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2024-08-14 20:19