Let’s be real—Hollywood’s record on disability representation has been mixed. At times, it gets it right, and at times, it misses the point entirely, while at other times, it simply takes the safe route. But for more than a billion people worldwide living with disabilities, getting to see real, complex, and respectful stories on screen counts big time.
In celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day—and the long-term struggle for inclusive storytelling—here’s a list of 12 life-altering games, shows, and films that played a significant role in changing the conversation. From unapologetic documentaries to surreptitiously groundbreaking rom-coms, these films do more than merely check a box. They challenge, reflect, and redefine what disability is in mainstream media.
12. My Beautiful Broken Brain
This wake-up call of a documentary takes Lotje Sodderland through her life after she has a stroke that leaves her with aphasia, interrupting her reading, writing, and speaking abilities. The movie doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of unexpected disability. Rather, it leans in, presenting her rehabilitation journey with candor and emotional resonance. As Netflix Tudum says, it’s deeply personal yet broadly relatable.
11. Maria Bamford: Old Baby
Mental illness can be problematic ground for comedy, but Maria Bamford strikes the perfect balance. Within this stand-up special, she laughs through her anxiety and depression, never minimizing them. Netflix Tudum describes it as empowering, and that is precisely what it is: incisive, offbeat, and unapologetically realistic.
10. Special
Ryan O’Connell’s semi-autobiographical series turns the script on its head. As a gay man with cerebral palsy, he stars as a version of himself as he attempts to navigate living, loving, and maturing in a world that frequently misperceives him. It’s clever, stammering, candid—and about time. Per Netflix Tudum, it’s a milestone in depicting how disability intersects with other parts of identity.
9. The Peanut Butter Falcon
This independent road film is a love note to pursuing your passion and to hiring disabled actors in substantive roles. Zach Gottsagen stars, having Down syndrome, as a fugitive who dreams of being a professional wrestler. His relationship with Shia LaBeouf rings true because it is true, and his acting is heartwarming and rooted. As Disability Horizons puts it, this is the way authentic representation must be done.
8. Run
In a genre that hardly ever features disabled characters, this thriller stood out. Kiera Allen, a wheelchair user herself, stars as a teenager who starts to suspect that her mom is keeping a secret from her. Her appearance alone is a step in the right direction, and her acting demonstrates that disability representation has no place but in all genres, not only dramas. Disability Horizons used it as an example of a milestone moment for casting.
7. Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
This isn’t a documentary—this is a movement in film form. Co-directed by disabled director James LeBrecht and featuring the Obamas as producers, Crip Camp is based on a true story of a 1970s summer camp that helped spark the disability rights movement. Netflix Tudum describes how the film combines history, activism, and individual stories into something unforgettable.
6. Atypical
Sam, a teenage autistic, is the beating heart of this comedy-drama coming-of-age series. Throughout the series, the show improved on the representation of autistic voices and viewpoints, from a good beginning to an actually well-meaning presentation of neurodivergence. Netflix Tudum describes it as a journey that is relatable to anyone trying to discover where they belong.
5. All the Light We Cannot See
Adapted from the hit novel, this limited series was in the news for hiring Aria Mia Loberti, a blind actress, in the title role of Marie-Laure. From WWII, her tale is one of defiance and strength. The acting is poignant, and the casting decision is a step in the direction of authenticity in period pieces, as Netflix Tudum notes.
4. Rain Man
A cinematic classic that’s still in the conversation decades on. Dustin Hoffman’s Oscar-winning performance as an autistic savant was criticized for not employing an autistic actor, but it opened doors in a time before diversity and inclusivity were buzzwords. It paved the way for visibility, but also kindled conversations about authenticity and depth, which Disability Horizons notes.
3. My Left Foot
Daniel Day-Lewis’s physical transformation into Christy Brown, an Irish painter with cerebral palsy, has become legendary within the acting profession. But as his commitment was welcomed, the film also fuels the long-running argument over whether disabled actors should be cast as disabled characters. Disability Horizons views it as a cultural landmark, with reservations.
2. NCIS: New Orleans
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, who himself uses a wheelchair, stars as an NCIS team member with technical know-how. The highlight? His disability is not the story—it simply is a part of him. That kind of matter-of-fact inclusion is elusive on broadcast TV, but as New Mobility points out, it shouldn’t be.
1. Christmas Ever After
In this heartwarming holiday film, Tony Award winner Ali Stroker stars as a romance writer searching for love. What’s groundbreaking? Her character’s disability is never explained, questioned, or pitied—it simply is. No tragedy, no drama—just happiness. This is a casual representation, New Mobility reports, and it is a game-changer.
What’s Next?
We’ve come a long way, but the numbers tell a hard truth. Disabled people make up about 20% of the U.S. population, yet fewer than 2% of characters on screen reflect that reality, and the overwhelming majority are played by non-disabled actors. Real progress entails more than “inspirational” tales. It entails casting disabled actors, employing disabled writers and directors, and writing stories that do not feature disability as a plot device or a joke. It entails stories that are as flawed, joyful, complex, and dynamic as the individuals they portray. For because at the end of the day, representation is not just about being seen—it’s about being heard.