SAG-AFTRA Member Lauren Ridloff Honored at 41st Media Access Awards

The 41st Media Access Awards ceremony took place virtually on Nov. 19. The Awards, hosted in partnership with nonprofit disability services organization Easterseals, pays tribute to creatives and productions that endeavor to portray individuals with disabilities authentically onscreen and advance representation for the disability community. SAG-AFTRA member, deaf actor and model Nyle DiMarco, who received the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award in 2019, hosted this year’s awards show.

This year’s Harold Russell Award honoree was SAG-AFTRA member and deaf actor Lauren Ridloff (The Walking Dead). Ridloff has been a noted advocate for disability awareness and recently appeared as a guest for the SAG-AFTRA President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement’s Performers with Disabilities: Inclusion, Authenticity & Allyship webinar on July 28. The award was presented by member Joshua Jackson (The Affair), with whom Ridloff worked with in her Tony-nominated stage debut in Children of a Lesser God. 

“Thank you, SAG-AFTRA, for the recognition of my work. I am honored and humbled.” said Ridloff in her acceptance speech. “This award is a reminder of the opportunities I’ve been given thanks to those who paved the way for me on Broadway and in Hollywood. Because of their talents and advocacy, I’ve been given an incredible platform that allows me to continue the work of reshaping the deaf narrative.”

“Easterseals is committed to advancing greater inclusion and disability representation across entertainment,” said Easterseals Southern California Chief Executive Officer Mark Whitley. “We salute this year’s honorees for their outstanding efforts in working to change the way disability is viewed … and supporting talented people with disabilities to build careers in front of and behind the camera.”