Disney+’s ‘Out of My Mind,’ Bleecker Street’s ‘Ezra’ Among Honorees for Authentic Portrayals of Disabled Communities

variety.com:

Emiliana Betancourt The coming-of-age drama “Out of My Mind” from Disney+ and Bleecker Street’s dramedy “Ezra” are among the films recognized by the Ruderman Family Foundation for their “groundbreaking commitment to disability inclusion in Hollywood.” The films have received Rudderman’s Seal of Authentic Representation.

Both projects were cast by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee. “The Ruderman Family Foundation proudly acknowledges Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee for their groundbreaking contributions to Hollywood’s ongoing evolution toward authentic disability representation — a critical shift that reflects the entertainment industry’s growing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility,” said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “In fact, all five new recipients of the Seal of Authentic Representation have enabled viewers to discover a crucial narrative of empowerment.” “Out of My Mind” stars Phoebe-Rae Taylor as Melody, a nonverbal wheelchair user with cerebral palsy whose inner dialogue is voiced by Jennifer Aniston.

The film is directed by Amber Sealey. The latter project features William A. Fitzgerald as Ezra himself, a youth with autism who stars opposite Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne and Robert De Niro. “Casting ‘Out of My Mind’ and ‘Ezra’ were both incredibly fulfilling experiences for us,” Barden and Schnee said in a joint statement.