CBS pledges to better represent individuals with disabilities

There is still a considerable disparity between the experiences of people with disabilities and the representation of them in the entertainment industry. CBS recognizes this and is one of the first major networks to commit to taking action to change it. Earlier this month, the network signed a pledge to audition more actors with disabilities for all of its programming. The pledge acknowledges that “disability is central to diversity, that the disabled community comprises the largest minority in our nation, and that people with disabilities face seclusion from the entertainment industry.” 

The poor representation of people with disabilities has existed for years, and very much persists today. While close to 20 percent of the population lives with a disability, only 2.1 percent of TV characters in the 2018-19 season were people with disabilities, and non-disabled actors played a whopping ninety-five percent of those characters. 

The disability advocacy organization Ruderman Family Foundation recognized this disparity and put out a call to Hollywood to to audition more actors with disabilities to provide a more authentic representation of disabled people. CBS is not only the first network to sign this pledge, but also gained the foundation’s “Seal of Authentic Representation” for casting the actor Daryl Mitchell, who uses a wheelchair, as Agent Patton Plame in their series “NCIS: New Orleans.” 

In addition to providing more opportunities for the disability community, CBS’ commitment will ideally give more opportunities to individuals who occupy multiple marginalized identities by casting individuals with disabilities who also belong to other minority communities.

While this pledge is perhaps the most comprehensive commitment to representing those with disabilities, other networks have also done great work representing the disability community in recent years. Chella Man, a deaf, Chinese, Jewish, and trans actor, was cast in the DC/Warner Brothers’ show “Titans” as a deaf superhero who uses sign language. Additionally, ABC’s “Speechless” focuses on a teenager, J.J, with cerebral palsy, played by Micah Fowler, an actor who himself has cerebral palsy. 

Opening opportunities for disabled people not only helps that population but subverts the media standards that have become so ingrained in our society due to the limited representation of marginalized communities. While CBS signing the pledge is one step in a long path towards expanding representation, the Ruderman Foundation remains hopeful that other media companies will follow in signing and improving their representation.