The Media Access Awards, which celebrate disability representation and authentic filmmaking in the media, have officially been rebranded as the Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards (Darcy’s). The initiative is led by Easterseals Disability Services and disability community leaders, and co-produced by Film Independent.
Originally founded in 1979 by Norman Lear and newly named Darcy’s, the brand aims to introduce a contemporary identity, expanded mission and broader cultural reach with its latest models.
Easterseals has established a Disability Advisory Board, a group of disabled people working in the industry, who will continue to help shape the rebrand. The committee is led by co-chairs Emily Rado and Nicole Lynn Evans and includes members Jamie Brewer, Kristin Bruno, Lawrence Carter-Long, Ashley Eakin, Danny J. Gomez, CJ Jones, Danny Kurtzman, Rachi, Jim Lebrecht, Sue Ann Pien, and Lolo Spencer.
“Inclusion must be a movement, not a moment,” Radau and Evans said in a statement. “The inaugural DARCYS is a joyful celebration of the contributions of the disability community to the media world and a bold call to action for a true revolution in disability representation.”
Eligibility for the award includes a requirement to ensure that the inclusion of people with disabilities is “substantive, sustained, and integral to the work being recognized.” Accessibility, including captions and audio descriptions, is an important part of the submission and review process.
The Darcys will recognize filmmaking in a wide range of categories, including Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Acting in a Feature, Best Scripted Series, Best Unscripted Series, Best Actor in a Series, and Best Social Creator. The awards also include Achievement in Casting Ensemble, Legacy Award and Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award.
Nominees are determined by an industry committee comprised of filmmakers, critics, past Media Access Award winners, and representatives from industry guilds and nonprofit organizations.
The inaugural Disability Arts and Culture Awards ceremony will be held on October 10th at the Historic Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, bringing together entertainment, advocacy and media leaders for an evening celebrating the year’s most influential works.
Submissions will open on June 16th and end on July 14th.
The Darcys will be broadcast live on YouTube and PBS SoCal, rebroadcast on local PBS stations across the country, and made available to viewers around the world.
For more information, visit socal.easterseals.com/darcyawards.
