Octavia Spencer Calls On Hollywood To Cast More People With Disabilities: ‘We Should And Can Do Better’

Octavia Spencer is calling on Hollywood to cast more people with disabilities.

On the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the actress appeared in a public service announcement for the Ruderman Family Foundation, calling for Hollywood to provide a more authentic representation of people with disabilities by increasing casting of people with disabilities, including on-screen roles that portray characters with disabilities.

“All of these communities of people had to endure not only their stories being told inauthentically, but also seeing themselves portrayed inauthentically,” Spencer said in the PSA. “But nothing can replace lived experience and authentic representation. That’s why it’s imperative that we cast the appropriate actor for the appropriate role, and that means people with disabilities as well. Casting able-bodied actors in roles for characters with disabilities is offensive, unjust, and deprives an entire community of people from opportunities.”

“I am joining with the Ruderman Family Foundation to call on the entertainment industry to increase casting of people with disabilities. There is no reason that we should continue to repeat the same mistakes of the past. Together, we should and can do better,” she continued.

According to a press release by the foundation, Spencer joins a long list of stars that have pledged support. In December, an open letter calling for more inclusion of people with disabilities on screen was widely circulated to Hollywood execs by the organization. The letter was signed by George Clooney, Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Norton, Eva Longoria, and Glenn Close, among other high profile stars.