The Hollywood Radio and Television Society will lengthen its long-standing relationship with Easterseals Disability Services, partnering with the nonprofit group for the upcoming Easterseals Incapacity Arts & Tradition Awards, also referred to as the Darcys.
Based in 1979 by producer Norman Lear, the kudos were previously known as the Media Access Awards. HRTS will function a group accomplice for the 2026 Darcys, set to happen Oct. 10 in Santa Monica.
Moreover, the 2 organizations will co-sponsor the afterparty, which is able to embody an announcement of the HRTS Entry Management Award, honoring an govt or producer “whose efforts to provide and showcase access in the entertainment industry have demonstrated the positive business impact of accessible storytelling, be it narratively, behind-the-scenes, or all of the above.” The nomination course of for the HRTS Entry Management Award will probably be introduced at a later date.
The brand new partnership marks probably the most formidable collaboration between HRTS and Easterseals Incapacity Providers thus far, with the organizations beforehand becoming a member of forces on quite a few initiatives aiming to enhance accessibility within the leisure trade and genuine illustration on display.
The information was introduced by Tim McNeal, president of the HRTS board of administrators, HRTS chair David Madden and HRTS CEO and HRTS Basis chair Melissa Grego, together with Nancy Weintraub, Easterseals’ Southern California chief development officer.
“We are honored to extend our long-standing relationship with Easterseals and join forces with them on the newly reimagined Darcys, which stand to take the recognition of disability representation and authentic filmmaking in our industry to the next level,” mentioned McNeal.
Submissions for the Darcys opened June 16 and can shut July 14.
“We are truly excited to grow our relationship with the HRTS community, which has helped lay the groundwork for this broad cultural moment, as we relaunch the Media Access Awards as the Darcys,” Weintraub mentioned.
HRTS board members JoAnn Alfano, Vivian Cannon, Cliff Decatrel, DJ Nurre and HRTS advisory council member Kelly Goode will co-chair the Darcys after-party.
