LAUREN RIDLOFF TO HOST ANNUAL VIRTUAL CELEBRATION OF DISABILITY REPRESENTATION ON SCREEN

HONOREES TO INCLUDE: SELMA BLAIR, PETER FARRELLY, DAVID ZIMMERMAN, ALLEN RUCKER, “AS WE SEE IT,” “LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM”, “CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH”, AND “ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING”

LOS ANGELES, October 20, 2021 — Today, the Media Access Awards, in partnership with nonprofit disability services provider Easterseals Southern California, announced the honorees of the 2022 Media Access Awards which will stream LIVE on the Emmy Award-winning entertainment and pop culture news source, ExtraTV.com; on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

Founded by Norman Lear in 1979 as an annual celebration honoring those in film and TV who include disabled characters and actors in their work, the 2022 Media Access Awards will pay tribute to those individuals, series, and films that have redefined on-screen representation for the disability community, while advancing the portrayal and employment of people with disabilities in Hollywood.

“We are thrilled to again be celebrating the immensely talented people paving the way to a more inclusive world. We salute them all!” said the co-CEO’s of the Media Access Awards Deborah Calla, also the show’s Executive Producer, and Allen Rucker the show’s writer.

A 2020 Media Access Award recipient, Tony Nominated star of stage and screen (Children of A Lesser God, “The Walking Dead”) and the first Deaf actress to play a Marvel Superhero (Eternals), producer and advocate Lauren Ridloff will serve as the evening’s host leading viewers through the evening filled with unforgettable moments, awe-inspiring performances by such disabled talent as D.J. Demers (Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, AGT),  Nic Novicki (founder of Easterseals Disability Film Challenge), Danielle Perez (Jimmy Kimmel Live!) Rex Clack (60 minutes) and Chin Injeti, music producer for Dr.Dre, 50 Cent and Eminem as well as  exciting celebrity appearances by Eva Longoria, Randall Park and others.

The evening’s honorees are selected by the diversity committees of their professional guilds with awards from the Casting Society of America (CSA), Producers Guild of America (PGA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), and Writers Guild of America (WGA).  IMDbPro, the essential resource for entertainment industry professionals, presents the IMDbPro | Media Access Award for Excellence in Directing, building on its ongoing commitment to celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entertainment industry.  This year’s honorees are:

• IMDbPro | Media Access Award for Excellence in Directing: Peter Farrelly (Green Book)
  • Presented by Lauren Ridloff
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Allen Rucker, CEO Media Access Awards
  • Presented by Jimmy Kimmel (Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!)
• SAG-AFTRA Disability Awareness Award: David Zimmerman (Meet the Biz)
  • Presented by: Geri Jewell (Deadwood)
• SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award: Selma Blair
  • Presented by Troy Kotsur, Oscar winner, CODA
• Casting Society of America Award: Cami Patton, As We See It
  • Presenters: Rick Glassman, Sue Ann Pien, As We See It
• Casting Society of America Award: Angela Demo, Cha, Cha Real Smooth
  • Presented by: Cooper Raiff
• Media Access Producers Guild of America George Sunga Award: Cian O’Clery, Karina Holden (Love on the Spectrum) (Netflix)
  • Presenters: Cast of Love on the Spectrum
• Writers Guild of America West Evan Somers Memorial Award: John Hoffman, Only Murders in the Building
  • Presented by James Caverly
• Christopher Reeve Acting Scholarship: Sofia Sanchez, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
  • Presented by Rachel Zegler, Golden Glober winner, West Side Story

“Easterseals is honored once again to partner with the Media Access Awards in presenting this well-deserved recognition to this diverse group of talent.  Each year the level of authentic disability representation on screen, in storytelling and behind the camera, continues to expand in exciting and impressive ways. It is clear that disability inclusion is an essential part of the entertainment industry,” said Mark Whitley, CEO of Easterseals Southern California.

Viewers will be treated to an incredible musical performance by pianist Rex Lewis Clack along with comedy by  D.J. Demers, Danielle Perez and Nic Novicki.  The evening will also feature shout-out appearances by Eva Longoria and Randall Park.

The 2022 Media Access Awards in partnership with Easterseals Southern California are sponsored by EXTRA TV, the exclusive broadcast partner; by Platinum Sponsors IMDbPro and by Variety, the exclusive media partner.

For more information about the Media Access Awards, please visit mediaaccessawards.com or follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The Media Access Awards will stream live via EXTRATV.com on Thursday, November 17 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

About the Media Access Awards

As the largest minority group on the planet—and as the only minority group that anyone can join at any point of his or her life—the disability community is a robust, diverse, and integral part of our global fabric. The Media Access Awards celebrate this fact by honoring, highlighting, and promoting disability and its depictions in film, television, and new media. The Media Access Awards aim to recognize depictions of disability that are accurate, inclusive, and multi-faceted. Our awards ceremony honors those industry professionals who have advanced disability-related narrative in fields including writing, producing, casting, performance, and directing. We are proud and pleased to be at the forefront of creating and promoting opportunities for some of the brightest talents in the industry. www.mediaaccessawards.com

About Easterseals Southern California

Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion and access through life-changing disability and community services. For more than 100 years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities. Easterseals Southern California provides essential services and on-the-ground supports to more than 15,000 people each year—from early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to autism services, daily and independent living services for adults, employment programs, veterans’ services and more. Our public education, policy and advocacy initiatives positively shape perceptions and address the urgent and evolving needs of the one in four Americans with disabilities today. Together, we’re empowering people with disabilities, families and communities to be full and equal participants in society. Learn more at easterseals.com/southerncal.

Media Contacts

Andy Gelb / Lindsey Brown
SLATE PR
[email protected] / [email protected]