Disabilities in acting

[u/funeraIpyre]

Hello! I’m really sorry if this is in the FAQ, I looked through it and didn’t find this. I am disabled with a tumor in my spinal cord, right now i’m mostly immobile but my dream is to get back in shape & hopefully pursue acting. I was wondering if anyone here has experience acting as a disabled person. I just worry that I won’t get a lot of work because in a lot of areas i’m a “liability”.

to be clear, i do have a tumor but it’s dead from radiation. it has not grown in nearly 10 years so i’m not as much at a risk for that specifically. i’m just not sure if my health would deter people from hiring me.

thank you so much!!

[u/Smilingtribute]

I am from the UK and the industry over here has became very inclusive for disabled & neurodivergent actors.

Most recently, I’ve seen a few calls for disabled actors or neurodivergent people to apply for certain roles in theatre & film, TV. I’m a neurodivergent actor and I think the industry is getting better.

[u/funeraIpyre → u/Smilingtribute]

thank you, this makes me hopeful!!! i’m in the US personally, but one thing that comes to mind is the hunger games, the ballad of songbirds and snakes. even though they were fairly minor roles they had quite a few visibly disabled folk & it was super inspiring!

thank you for your comment, it means a lot ❤️

[u/FreeOrderedLeader]

Heyo - I've been seeing the tv/film industry becoming more inclusive for the disabled community too. But also could be a great strategy to look for writers / directors, who you can build a working relationship with. Creatives also looking to build their craft and careers. So you're doing the work on the independent side and letting things leverage you for mainstream opportunity and your career infrastructure.

Wishing the very best!

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[u/futurebro]

Are you a wheelchair user? I’ve met a handful of wheelchair users, little people, etc acting in nyc. Some have been very successful because even if they don’t fit most breakdowns, the ones they do they absolutely nail.

I don’t love zoom acting classes. But maybe that could be something you could be ready to do now if ur not physically up for being in class yet.

[u/boba_toes]

I'm in the UK, and here, disability is a protected characteristic for hiring, meaning that companies legally cannot take into account someone's disability when hiring, so here at least, it literally cannot deter people.

wheelchair users are humans, and we need all types of humans in acting. go for it!

[u/Significant-Love6129]

I'm in Atlanta. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. I wasn't able to pursue this until I transitioned to more masculine presentation. The testosterone gave me just enough extra muscle mass to bring my pain levels down. I'm out of shape bc I spent most my life not able to work or exercise in a way to keep my body in shape and look like Chris Evans. I look like Jack Black lol. But more and more films and TV shows are wanting real disabled people to play disabled roles. So no, as someone who has joints that dislocate randomly and without warning, I'm way more of a liability. But I know and listen to my body. I know when to say no to something and when to ask for accommodations and grace. Idk if that helps any. But as someone with a disability, I'm here in Atlanta making it happen (I moved here from Houston just to pursue this).

[u/funeraIpyre → u/Significant-Love6129]

thank you so much for this comment, it’s really inspiring!!! i’m definitely going to keep at it, thank you again 😢