Oscars 2021: Disabled performers, characters in the spotlight at this year's Academy Awards

LOS ANGELES -- This is a landmark year for Oscar nominations in terms of diversity and representation, with nine actors of color up for awards and the first women of color up for best director with Chloé Zhao for "Nomadland," but it's also an important year for the disabled community.

From Hulu's "Run," starring Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen, to "Sound of Metal," starring Oscar nominees Riz Ahmed and Paul Raci, to the best live action short-nominated "Feeling Through," we are seeing inclusive storytelling becoming a more authentic part of Hollywood.
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For "Sound of Metal," Ahmed learned to sign as a part of transforming into his character. The whole movie is captioned so both the hearing and deaf communities can both experience the film together.

"I just felt like it would be offensive to kind of pretend to know how to sign. I felt like I needed to learn," he said.

Allen, who made her film debut in "Run," has used a wheelchair for six years.

Click here to see a full list of 2021 Oscar nominees

"I was definitely nervous and feeling a bit of the pressure of playing a lead role in my first ever movie," she said.
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Even animated pictures are showing more inclusivity in their storylines. The groundbreaking Disney-Pixar short "Loop" features Pixar's first non-verbal leading character with autism.



"It's amazing that we've been nominated for an Oscar, at the same time, there's a message behind this nomination. It's crucial. It's about how we need to look at a community in a whole different way," actor Marlee Matlin said.

And while many will agree that there is still a long road ahead, these actors and films are leading the way.



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