NBCUniversal said Friday that actors with disabilities will be included in auditions for all new productions, an agreement sought by the Ruderman Family Foundation, a disability rights advocate.
(NBCUniversal via AP)LOS ANGELES – Actors with disabilities will be included in auditions for each new film and television production at NBCUniversal, which becomes the second major media company to make such a commitment.
As more people with disabilities are seen in roles, "it will have ramifications throughout society,” Ruderman told The Associated Press.
According to the most recent foundation report, only about 22% of characters with disabilities on network and streaming shows in 2018 were “authentically portrayed by actors with disabilities.” That's an improvement over 2016's finding that 5% of such TV roles went to actors with disabilities.
Although the agreement with NBCUniversal doesn't establish hiring goals, Grubba said the value of getting a chance to audition shouldn't be undersold.