Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1433871
58 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2021 | sagaftra.org Podcast News CSI ACTOR GETS THE 'NOD' FROM DISABILITY ADVOCATES SAG-AFTRA member Robert David Hall has been awarded the National Organization on Disability's 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award. Hall, who is best known for his role as coroner Albert Robbins on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, is one of the most high-profile working actors with a disability. Hall, who received the award in recognition of his contributions as a leader and advocate for people with disabilities, is also the longest-serving member on NOD's board of directors. He was presented with the award at NOD's online Annual Forum, Disability Inclusion in the Next Normal on Sept. 30. "I'm honored and grateful to receive the NOD Lifetime Achievement Award," said Hall. "Along with many others, I have dedicated many years to advocating for people with disabilities, and I stand proudly by NOD's mission to recognize everyone's abilities and talents, especially in the workforce. I encourage all companies — especially those in the media and entertainment fields — to see people with disabilities as they are: productive, resilient and hardworking. People with disabilities can do anything if they are given the opportunity. I like to think that I'm a small part of that big picture." Hall has served in the union's leadership, including as the past chair of the National Performers with Disabilities Committee for Screen Actors Guild as well as co-chair of the committee after the merger of SAG and AFTRA in 2012. SAG-AFTRA MEMBER TALKS GAINS FOR PERFORMERS WITH DISABILITIES IN NEWS INTERVIEW In an interview in October with Spectrum News NY1, SAG-AFTRA member and chair of the New York Local Performers with Disabilities Committee Christine Bruno reflected on the recent gains performers with disabilities are making in the film industry. Bruno, herself an actor with cerebral palsy, has been a longtime disability advocate. In addition to appearing on Law & Order and on stage in the United States and abroad, she has been a disability inclusion consultant and has worked closely with directors and producers in the industry. Noting recent examples of inclusive casting, such as deaf actor Lauren Ridloff in Marvel's Eternals, Bruno expressed hope that increased visibility of disabled actors in pop culture can create opportunities for the disability community in other industries. "The fact that the entertainment industry brings visibility [by holding] a mirror to society [can] maybe trickle down to sectors that maybe haven't caught on yet," Bruno said. Christine Bruno Robert David Hall WORKERS UNITE! Then-SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon and Andrew Tilson, executive director of the Workers Unite Film Festival, in New York on Oct. 14. Damon provided welcome remarks and spoke to filmmakers about the ease of working with SAG-AFTRA members for their future projects. A celebration of global labor solidarity, the festival showcases films that publicize and highlight the struggles, successes and daily lives of workers in their efforts to unite and organize for better working conditions and social justice. "When these stories are told with compassion and humanity, it confirms that these issues are important and it makes us care," said Damon.