Cripocratic Oath
The Issue
Disabled stories deserve disabled voices!
After Jo-Marie Lawrence and Scarlett Dyer (both actresses who are wheelchair users) saw that A24’s new film The Drama cast a non disabled actor to play a wheelchair user, they HAD to do something. They were tired of seeing this happen over and over again in Hollywood.
For decades, the entertainment industry has cast non disabled actors to portray disabled characters, while disabled actors are consistently overlooked, underrepresented, and denied opportunities to tell their own stories. This isn’t just a creative choice. It’s a systemic issue!
When non disabled actors are cast in disabled roles:
Disabled actors lose already limited job opportunities.
Lived experiences are replaced with incorrect imitation.
Harmful stereotypes are often reinforced instead of challenged.
The Disabled community stays the least represented minority group in film.
Meanwhile, disabled performers, who bring authenticity, nuance, and truth to these roles are left fighting for visibility in an industry that rarely makes space for them.
We are calling on ALL INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS (casting directors, producers, directors, actors, studios, networks, etc. to:
STOP Cripping Up: casting non disabled actors to play characters with physical, sensory, or mental disabilities in film, TV & theater.
Prioritize casting disabled actors in disabled roles and hey, we can play character's not written as disabled too!
Commit to authentic representation both on screen and behind the scenes.
Make the effort to actively seek out and hire disabled talent.
Walk away from projects not willing to cast AUTHENTICALLY!
Speak up for the Disability Community -
Representation is not just about being seen, it’s about being included, respected, and given equal opportunity.
Disabled actors exist! Disabled talent is ready! Disabled stories deserve better!
It’s time for the industry to stop excluding the very people these stories are about.
Sign this petition, the Cripocratic Oath, to demand authentic, equitable casting now!
“I will not engage in the practice of cripping up & will not participate in a project that is doing it!”
53
The Issue
Disabled stories deserve disabled voices!
After Jo-Marie Lawrence and Scarlett Dyer (both actresses who are wheelchair users) saw that A24’s new film The Drama cast a non disabled actor to play a wheelchair user, they HAD to do something. They were tired of seeing this happen over and over again in Hollywood.
For decades, the entertainment industry has cast non disabled actors to portray disabled characters, while disabled actors are consistently overlooked, underrepresented, and denied opportunities to tell their own stories. This isn’t just a creative choice. It’s a systemic issue!
When non disabled actors are cast in disabled roles:
Disabled actors lose already limited job opportunities.
Lived experiences are replaced with incorrect imitation.
Harmful stereotypes are often reinforced instead of challenged.
The Disabled community stays the least represented minority group in film.
Meanwhile, disabled performers, who bring authenticity, nuance, and truth to these roles are left fighting for visibility in an industry that rarely makes space for them.
We are calling on ALL INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS (casting directors, producers, directors, actors, studios, networks, etc. to:
STOP Cripping Up: casting non disabled actors to play characters with physical, sensory, or mental disabilities in film, TV & theater.
Prioritize casting disabled actors in disabled roles and hey, we can play character's not written as disabled too!
Commit to authentic representation both on screen and behind the scenes.
Make the effort to actively seek out and hire disabled talent.
Walk away from projects not willing to cast AUTHENTICALLY!
Speak up for the Disability Community -
Representation is not just about being seen, it’s about being included, respected, and given equal opportunity.
Disabled actors exist! Disabled talent is ready! Disabled stories deserve better!
It’s time for the industry to stop excluding the very people these stories are about.
Sign this petition, the Cripocratic Oath, to demand authentic, equitable casting now!
“I will not engage in the practice of cripping up & will not participate in a project that is doing it!”
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Petition created on April 22, 2026