Submissions
Submissions to the inaugural Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards will open on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 and close on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. A link to the submissions portal will be available on this page during the submissions window.
Early Deadline: Monday, June 22, 2026
Regular Deadline: Friday, July 3, 2026
Final Deadline: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
History
After more than four decades of impact and advocacy, the Media Access Awards – honoring disability representation and authentic filmmaking in film and television – is now officially rebranded as The Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards (The DARCYS), ushering in a bold new era for the awards ceremony and the entertainment industry at large. The initiative is spearheaded by Easterseals Disability Services, with Film Independent serving as co-producer.
Founded in 1979 by Norman Lear, the Media Access Awards have long recognized artists, creators, and industry leaders who have advanced authentic portrayals of disability and expanded opportunities for disabled talent across entertainment.
The reimagined awards show builds on this legacy while introducing a modern identity, expanded mission, and broader cultural reach – reflecting the growing momentum around inclusion, accessibility, and representation in global media while calling attention to the work yet to be done.
Mission & Vision
The Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards (The DARCYS) honor excellence in representation and inclusion across the full spectrum of disability in film, television, and digital and emerging media. The Awards celebrate storytellers and changemakers who are reshaping narratives, eliminating stereotypes, and setting a new standard for disability inclusion across the entertainment industry.
The vision is to establish authentic disability representation as a driving creative force across all forms of media.
Categories
The DARCYS will celebrate excellence across a wide range of categories, including Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Performance in a Feature, Best Scripted Series, Best Unscripted Series, Best Performer in a Series, and Best Social Creator. The awards will also include Achievement in Casting Ensemble, the Legacy Award, and the Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award.
Nominations
The DARCYS will be introducing a competitive nominations process. Nominees will be determined by industry committees composed of filmmakers, critics, past Media Access Awards honorees, and industry guild and nonprofit organization representatives. The DARCYS are committed to meaningful representation within this process, with a majority of committee members being individuals with disabilities.
Nominees will be announced in August 2026.
Ceremony
The inaugural Disability Arts & Culture Awards ceremony will take place Saturday, October 10 at The Historic Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, featuring leaders from across entertainment, advocacy, and media for an evening celebrating the most impactful work of the year.
Disability Advisory Committee
Assembled to represent the disabled individuals who work in the industry, the Disability Advisory Committee has been integral to the evolution of The Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards. This talented group of disabled individuals will continue to provide ongoing guidance to the program.
Co-chairs: Emily Ladau and Nicole Lynn Evans
Members: Jamie Brewer, Christine Bruno, Lawrence Carter-Long, Ashley Eakin, Danny J. Gomez, CJ Jones, Danny Kurtzman, Lachi, Jim LeBrecht, Sue Ann Pien, and Lolo Spencer
Rules & Regulations
The rules and regulations for The DARCYs are provided at the linked website page.
Additional Information
View our FAQ page. For more information, stay tuned to this page, and follow @DARCYAwards on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. If you have additional questions, you can send us an email at darcyawards@essc.org.
