Featured News
We’re proud to debut our latest study, The State of Disability Representation on Television, commissioned by the Ruderman Family Foundation. This study analyzes 350 scripted TV series from 2016-2023 and reveals that while people with disabilities represent nearly 29% of the U.S. population, they make up just 3.9% of characters on screen. Even more stark: only 1 in 5 of those characters are portrayed by actors with the same disability. Alongside the study, we’ve released a creator-focused toolkit to support more authentic storytelling—complete with casting recommendations, narrative prompts, and production best practices.
Welcome to our website!
I created this research Institute 20 years ago because when I first saw kids’ shows and movies through my toddler daughter’s eyes, I was stunned by the lack of female characters and diversity. Back in 2004, only 11% of family films had female leads. Our latest data show we’ve reached gender parity for leads in family films and kids’ TV in the U.S.
But urgent attention is needed for race and ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, older characters, diverse body types, and disability representation. My institute works with creatives all over the world to enhance on-screen diversity and ensure nuanced portrayals.
There’s a lot of inequity in the world, but we have the power to fix representation in media overnight. Tomorrow, take a look at your projects and make sure they reflect the real world.
No more missed opportunities! And give us a shout – we’re here to help!
Spotlight
Geena Davis releases her inspiring debut picture book, The Girl Who Was Too Big for the Page. Celebrate self-confidence and empowerment in this beautifully illustrated story — order your copy today and catch Geena’s upcoming media appearances! Read more.
Weekly highlights on diversity, equity, and inclusion in media
© 2024 Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. All rights reserved. The Geena Davis Institute is a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. TAX ID# 86-1943473
