The article reads in part:
"Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, gays and disabled actors continue to break barriers in film and TV. But the approximately 125 short actors who are Screen Actors Guild members say they're usually pigeonholed by producers, directors and screenwriters. And even exceptional roles offer scant career momentum.
Still, times seem to be improving, with diminutive actors receiving high-profile projects and broader, more nuanced roles."
Via USA Today
As for actors with disabilities breaking barriers, I'd say this article is overly optimistic considering this piece on TV Squad stating that there are two new series featuring wheelchair bound actors. (Bound -get out the duct tape -geeze). Not to mention that only one of the actors really is a wheelchair user and has a disability. And that show is entitled "I'm with Stupid".
I just don't see this as breaking barriers. A SAG study from a few years ago agreed. The July 2005 article in the Pittsburgh -Tribune Review states that:
"While 20 percent of all Americans have a physical or mental disability, less than 2 percent of TV show characters display a disability and only one-half percent have speaking roles."
And then there's this dating show for people with disabilities being filmed in the Netherlands. Not sure exactly how they're going to present that, but I did get emailed via the SDS list serv a link to a video clip on CNN about the show which didn't look promising at all.
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