Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/16674
Tri-Union I AM PWD Campaign Goes Global ACTRA National President Ferne Downey and Screen Actors Guild President Ken Howard Internationale des Acteurs), has endorsed the I AM PWD Campaign of Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of T he International Federation of Actors, also known as FIA (Fédération Television and Radio Artists and Actors’ Equity Association. Inclusion in the Arts & Media of People with Disabilities (I AM PWD) is a global outreach and human rights campaign led by performers with disabilities to give a voice in entertainment and media to performers, broadcasters and others with disabilities, who oſten go unseen and unheard. Te resolution achieved approval at the June 26-27 FIA Executive Meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Canadian actors union Alliance of Cinema, Television and Radio Artists came on board as the first international co-sponsor. According to the FIA resolution, “Unions affiliated with FIA are urged workplace guarantees of access and non- discrimination, SAG Affirmative Action and Diversity participated in two recent programs in Hollywood before the anniversary and held a special film screening on the day. On July 10, the SAG/AFTRA/AEA Tri-Union THE GUILD HONORS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT I n celebration of 20 years of protections for Americans with disabilities, which include I AM PWD (Inclusion in the Arts & Media of People with Disabilities) campaign and the SAG Performers with Disabilities Committee took part in LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACCESS!, an open dialogue hosted by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the U.S. Department of Labor that explored strategies to increase employment opportunities and media visibility for people with disabilities. “We still have a long way to go — both in terms of roles in front of and behind the camera,” U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis told the industry leaders and disability rights advocates. On June 14, actor RJ Mitte, a star of the AMC series Breaking Bad, hosted a reception at the Sunset Tower Hotel in honor of the I AM PWD campaign. Te global campaign seeks equal to bargain to ensure that performers with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations without the fear of losing their jobs; to free people with disabilities from real and virtual discrimination; and to allow people with disabilities to compete equally for job opportunities without facing bias or exclusionary practices.” FIA President Agnete Haaland said, “We live in societies where image has become the ultimate value, where glamour, success and happiness are increasingly stereotyped. By accepting this, we marginalize many of our sisters and brothers and end up living in a very sad and empty Wonderland. Trade unions Continues on page 12 employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the entertainment and news media. Guests included Mitte’s Breaking Bad co-stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, actor Daryl “Chill” Mitchell and many other actors involved with the I AM PWD campaign. Mitte, who has cerebral palsy, has been a national spokesperson for the I AM PWD campaign for the past year. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this campaign and represent performers with disabilities,” said Mitte. “Tonight is our way of saying thank you I AM PWD for your incredible effort toward the inclusion of performers with disabilities in the area of TV and film production.” On the day of the ADA anniversary, July 26, SAG collaborated with the city of Los Angeles and the Writers Guild of America, West to host a SAG “Dare to Be Diverse” screening of Sympathy for Delicious. Te drama follows the recently paralyzed DJ “Delicious” Dean as he battles the mean streets of Los Angeles in an attempt to resurrect his career. Te all-star cast includes Mark Ruffalo, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Tornton and Laura Linney. A Q&A followed. TOP: RJ Mitte with actor Yvette Nicole Brown at his I AM PWD reception. BOTTOM: At LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACCESS!, SAG National Director of Affirmative Action & Diversity Rebecca Yee, actor Robert David Hall, national chair of the Tri-Union PWD committee, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathy Martinez, Mitte, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, SAG President Ken Howard, AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon, and actor Daryl “Chill” Mitchell (front). SOUND OFF: The recently opened Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab at the SAG Foundation Actors Center is designed to facilitate production as well as instruction of voice-over work, making it the first resource center of its kind. Visit sagfoundation.org for details. SAG.org Summer 2010 - SCREEN ACTOR 11 Rodney Ray Christopher Voelker voelkerstudio.com