SeriesFest Season 9 Event Spotlight – Actors with Disabilities Making Their Mark in Hollywood: What More Needs to Be Done

Written by Shae Rufe

Photo by Bear Gutierrez for SeriesFest.

While SeriesFest Season 9 is over, there were some amazing moments to still talk about. I was fortunate enough to sit and talk with everyone on the panel of ‘Actors with Disabilities Making Their Mark in Hollywood: What More Needs to Be Done’. The panelists consisted of Ms. Sue Ann Pien, who is open about being on the Autism Spectrum and fighting to be seen and recognized, as well as fighting the stereotypes against Autism. Ms. Lauren “Lolo” Spencer, an actor in a wheelchair who is more than just an actor in a wheelchair; Lolo fights to get roles and recognition for her ability and not just her varied ability. And Ms. Madison Tevlin, an actor with Down Syndrome who advocates for selflove, worth, and being seen as someone who is more than her varied ability. That was the main theme of the Panel, being perceived as less than other able-bodied Actors. This panel was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I genuinely was silently crying, 5 minutes in.
 
For me, it was the relatability of the whole thing. Everything the actors said, I have felt myself. While we all had different disabilities, we were all united in our experiences. It was also in this panel that I learned the new phrase: Varied Ability. It’s something that has changed my way of thinking on things. Funny how a simple word can change your mindset. That is what everyone on this panel felt. That is what everyone on this panel experienced. Often times, when you have a different ability, when you are born or have an accident that makes you different than able-bodied people, you grow to have a different outlook on both yourself and the world around you. There is also a common theme, many of us use humor as a coping mechanism for how we handle things. Humor often covers the trauma we feel of being differently abled and then some.
 
The main take away of this Panel was more than just comradery, but also advocacy. If we do not fight, if we do not stand up for ourselves, who will? The workplace, no matter where you work, is full of able-bodied people trying to fit people with varied abilities into a box of their design. It’s your job to stand up for yourself and fight against that design. To speak up and change things. Often in Hollywood, able-bodied actors are given the roles of differently abled characters. It’s an ongoing problem since the very beginning that is just now being fully addressed. Yet, it’s a systemic problem that effects every aspect of the industry. From Indie Films to TV Shows, and even the Blockbusters on the Big Screen. Many actors with different abilities are easily overlooked and replaced with able bodied counterparts.
 
It was a panel wide agreement that placing able bodied actors in the roles of differently abled characters is no longer tolerated or acceptable. Differently abled actors are also offered less roles, less chances to audition, and make less money than their able-bodied counter parts. It’s a problem that is being addressed head on and rightfully so. This is a topic I plan to further explore, myself, as Pien, Spencer, and Tevlin pointed out their personal experiences with all of these issues.
 
Beyond all that, the panel reminded everyone that differently abled people are just people. We all want to be treated like we’re normal, because we are normal. The panelists really hit home on just loving everyone, especially for their differences, and not in spite of them. A big difference that many of us experience. We are more than our disabilities, and no we don’t want to talk about them all the time. Spencer is an Author with a book out called Access Your Life and Enjoy the Ride, which can be found on Amazon and is an amazing read. Tevlin has a Podcast and Show, and while it unfortunately is only accessed in Canada at-the-moment, they are trying to get it worldwide. Pien is huge into advocacy work and helping to bring other differently abled actors to be out about what makes them differently abled.
 
All in all, the panel offered more than just a sense of hope, it offered a look into a brighter future. The panelists were not just well spoken, but passionate about making changes and waves in Hollywood and beyond. Making a better world for others like them and striving for inclusivity throughout. This panel wasn’t just eye opening it was inspiring in all the best ways. As a legally blind journalist, I was blown away by the unity displayed, the genuine strive for better, and the similarities we all shared.
 
To learn more about the experiences of these panelists, visit our interviews with Sue Ann Pien, Madison Tevlin, Lauren “Lolo” Spencer, and Michelle Sie Whitten (President & CEO, & Co-Founder of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation).

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