From Actor to Advocate: Changing the Narrative of Disability - with Keron Day

Disabled and Proud

Brooke welcomes Keron Day, an actor and disability advocate., to discuss the journey of embracing disability and using the term "disabled" proudly.

They delve into the importance of representation in film and TV, challenging ableist narratives, and creating a more inclusive and realistic portrayal of disabled people. Keron also talks about what it's like to work in the film and TV industry, highlighting the accessibility changes brought about by online platforms.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Disability representation in film and TV is crucial for creating a more inclusive and realistic narrative about disabled people.
• The journey to embracing and proudly identifying as disabled can be a process of unlearning ableist narratives and challenging societal perceptions.
• The film and TV industry is slowly starting to address access needs and the importance of having disabled individuals in key roles, both in front of and behind the camera.
• Disability is not a monolithic experience, and diversity within disability representation is essential to accurately reflect the disabled community.

BEST MOMENTS

"Diversity without disability is not diversity."

"The exclusion of disabled people within film and TV perpetuates this idea that disabled people are other, disabled people are a very small minority that we can afford to ignore."

"Disability is not a monolith, it's very much an umbrella term for a whole multitude of different things."

"Everyone's just human. Just speak to people like normal people and you're going to get so much better response."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves.

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational.

Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”.

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en