BBC News
By Myra Ali
image captionAmy Poehler (left) and Naomie Harris have signed the letter
More than 80 actors and entertainment industry professionals including Amy Poehler, Naomie Harris and Jessica Barden have signed an open letter against prejudice and discrimination towards disabled talent in Hollywood.
The letter says there s an urgent need to act on disability inclusion and urges major studios to appoint permanent disability officers.
The number of disabled characters on screen continues to severely under-represent the actual US population living with disabilities , it says. Due to years of misrepresentation in the media, social barriers, and chronic ableism, the deaf, hard of hearing, neurodiverse and disabled communities continue to be underrepresented and disrespected in the entertainment industry.