Page 6 - 2020 MAA Program
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welcome
We are are so happy to share this tremendous event with all of you as as the reigning Hollywood showcase for disability inclusion Every year we come
together to to celebrate those in in in the the entertainment industry who who employ people with disabilities and and who who depict the the disability experience with the the the the same depth and and craft they depict any other person The Media Access Awards are also a a a a a a a a a a celebration of a a a a a a a a vibrant community which wants to see itself represented in media In 1979 a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a nascent group of of of disability advocates – – led by legendary TV producer Norman Lear and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a young secretary in in in his office Fern Field – – hit upon the the idea of of of of an an an an an annual Hollywood awards event focused on on on on disability both in in in in in front of of of and and and behind the the the the camera That first ceremony was held in in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a small room at at at the the the the the the Holiday Inn in in in in in in Westwood and and as as Fern remembers it it it they pretty much gave awards to each other along with the the the the the makers of Coming Home the the the the the Vietnam-era drama featuring John Voight as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a returning paralyzed vet Fern had produced a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a groundbreaking short film about disability called A A A Different Approach starring a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a neophyte actor named Michael Keaton Norman had had produced an an episode of Maude Maude the hit CBS sitcom in in in in in which Maude Maude Finley (Bea Arthur) encountering an an old friend who who who had had recently suffered a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a stroke was discombobulated in in in in her her presence The whole group who who who gathered that day saw the the abysmal absence of characters with disabilities in in American mass media and acted to rectify this injustice to the 2020
Media Access Awards 































































































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