Easterseals Disability Services Presents

Jan. 25^th at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival

Actors & Decision Makers Will Spotlight Need to Include Disability in Diversity Conversations;

Organization Serves as Member of Sundance Institute’s Accessibility & Inclusion Alliance

An Allied Organization of Sundance Institute and member of its newly announced Accessibility & Inclusion Alliance, Easterseals Disability Services will host a panel on the influence of diversity and inclusion initiatives in Hollywood in increasing the visibility of/opportunities for talent with disabilities in the entertainment industry. As a go-to resource for filmmakers and actors with disabilities, ESSC has worked with the Institute since 2018, helping to make the annual Sundance Film Festival more inclusive and accessible.

Moderated by Britt Stephens, Celebrity & Entertainment Editor, Pop Sugar. Guest panelists include Shanique Bonelli-Moore, Executive Director of Inclusion, United Talent Agency; Franklin Leonard, Founder and CEO, The Black List; John Travis, VP of Brand Marketing, Adobe; and Shoshannah Stern, Creator, Executive Producer, Writer and Star of Sundance TV’s This Close.

The disability community, which makes up 25 percent of the U.S. population and commands $21 billion in discretionary income, is represented in less than three percent of on-screen roles. It is time for Hollywood to take the opportunity to capitalize on new, authentic stories and reach a large segment of the marketplace by including people with disabilities in their content.

Said Mark Whitley, CEO, ESSC, “It’s been just three years since Sundance and Easterseals joined forces to advance disability inclusion and greater accessibility across the Festival and the entertainment industry at large. We’re making real progress, but still have more to do to make disability inclusion, whether in front of or behind the camera, commonplace— an industry practice and standard. This year, we’re honored to extend our work and partnership with Sundance Film Festival, bringing together new and diverse voices to share their unique perspectives, address challenges and push the needle forward on inclusion.”

As part of Easterseals’ vision of building a more inclusive future for more than 61 million Americans with disabilities, the organization is working with Sundance Institute to increase accessibility for filmmakers, critics and film enthusiasts with disabilities at the Festival.

As a result:        

Sundance Institute installed an elevator in its Filmmakers Lodge on Main Street, Some Festival panels were moved to the Kimball Art Center, a one-story building that is easily accessible for wheelchairs.

In the Sundance Film Festival app under Festival Information, there is an accessibility section with information on how to navigate Park City.

Sundance Institute added over 20 percent of additional passes for critics from underrepresented backgrounds, including women, persons of color and persons with disabilities. Travel stipends were also provided to 50 of those underrepresented critics.

About the New Accessibility & Inclusion Alliance:

The Accessibility & Inclusion Alliance is comprised of organizations and individuals who are leaders and strong allies in the field. The initiative will allow the Sundance Institute to advance many different manifestations of accessibility, working to expand resources in theatres and official venues; inviting broader communities to enjoy and experience the Festival comfortably; and activating all of its Artist Programs to deepen their creative and professional development engagement with artists with disabilities. As a leader and expert in the field, Easterseals will be an invaluable partner and resource to the Institute as it continues to expand its accessibility efforts, including providing additional ASL interpreters for Institute panels and open captioning support to key pieces of content. 

For persons with disabilities attending the Festival, all Park City Transit buses are wheelchair accessible, free and stop at every Festival theater and venue. Bus drivers are trained to provide assistance to those who may need it. For more information about accessibility at the Festival, visit the Sundance Institute website

For more information about Easterseals and the work it does to support the disability community, visit www.easterseals.com and www.wecelebrate.org

About Easterseals Southern California

For more than 100 years, Easterseals has been an indispensable resource for people and families living with developmental disabilities or other special needs. The services provided by Easterseals Southern California (ESSC)—in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties—make profound and positive differences in people's lives every day, helping them address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals so that they can live, learn, work and play in our communities. With 2,800 employees, 60+ service sites and hundreds of community partnership locations, each year ESSC assists more than 13,000 people, providing adult/senior day services; autism therapy; child development/early education; employment services; veteran employment support; independent living options; and more. At Easterseals, 88% of our income is spent on services.