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Disability Awards Reimagined: The DARCYS Lead Change
18 Jul
Summary
- Media Access Awards transformed into The DARCYS this fall.
- The DARCYS prioritize leadership by disabled creators and advocates.
- An HRTS Access Leadership Award debuts for inclusive executives.
The Media Access Awards, a platform recognizing disability representation since 1979, has been transformed into The DARCYS. Easterseals Disability Services, in partnership with Film Independent and a Disability Advisory Committee, will host the inaugural event on October 10 at The Historic Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. This rebranding signifies a shift towards empowering disabled creators and advocates to lead the conversation around authentic representation in entertainment.
The DARCYS embody the principle of "Nothing about us, without us," with a Disability Advisory Committee composed of disabled leaders shaping the event. This collaborative approach aims to drive cultural change, ensuring disability is a creative force rather than an afterthought in media. The ceremony will also feature the debut of the HRTS Access Leadership Award.
Submissions for the inaugural DARCYS closed on July 14. The event's evolution is set to amplify disabled voices and challenge Hollywood to rethink narrative shaping and portrayals, both on and off-screen, marking a significant step towards greater inclusion in the industry.
