For Immediate Release
Disability is Not a Dirty Word: Say it. Celebrate it. Share it. With Pride.
Easterseals Southern California Launches Provocative PSA Campaign Aimed at Creating a New Dialogue Around Disability Inclusion
LOS ANGELES, CA, June 28, 2024
Media Contact:
Vicki Greenleaf
vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
323-573-5111
![](/southerncal/shared-components/image-library/news/disability-pride-month-psa.jpg)
Easterseals Southern California (ESSC)—which assists more than 18,000 people with disabilities in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties—has launched a provocative PSA campaign, D1$@B1L*tY is Not a Dirty Word, aimed at creating a brash, new dialogue around disability acceptance and inclusion.
We often fear what we don’t understand and conversations around disability are avoided. The fear of not knowing what to say, how to act or how to behave divides us, not unites us. We whisper it or avoid it altogether, as if disability is a dirty word. Disability is not a dirty word. It’s a source of pride. It’s part of being human. And for more than 25% of all U.S. residents, it’s a part of who we are.
Launching in the weeks leading up to Disability Pride Month in July—with both English and Spanish versions in rotation—the D1$@B1L*tY is Not a Dirty Word campaign will run throughout the remainder of 2024.
Created collaboratively by people with disabilities, the parents of children with disabilities and employing people with disabilities for the production, the campaign features 12 people—primarily from SoCal—from all walks of life and with all types of disabilities, sharing their unique viewpoints. It was produced by The House of JOY, the agency that conceptualized and co-created the award-winning Dove CROWN movement and campaign to “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.”
The PSA will be seen on A&E, Animal Planet, CNN, COX Media, ESPN, Food Network, FX, Galavision, HGTV, Hulu, NFL Network, Prime Video, Spectrum News 1, TNT and YouTubeTV; and on search engines Bing, Google and Yahoo! Ads will be featured on video and print billboards, other outdoor advertising and in print outlets across SoCal. ESSC is also making the campaign available to Easterseals affiliates in markets across the country.
View the campaign, take the quiz & join our social movement:
www.DisabilityPride.com
Says Days of Our Lives actress Kennedy Garcia, who appears in the PSA, “People often count me out because I have Down syndrome and don’t even give me a chance. That’s frustrating, but it makes me stronger. People with disabilities have a story to tell and something unique to offer … just like everyone else. We are changing hearts and minds … one person at a time!”
Commented Mark Whitley, president & CEO of ESSC, “This disability pride media campaign is by, for and about people with disabilities. Real authenticity only comes through personal experience and for this important project, people with disabilities are sharing their stories and insights on disability to unite as one voice for change.”
The D1$@B1L*tY is Not a Dirty Word campaign features:
- Andy Arias, Hollywood, Calif., is Latinx and queer. A national policy expert for marginalized communities— particularly queer and disability—he is a motivational speaker on diversity, equity, and inclusion. He is a faculty member at Georgetown University. As an actor and producer, he prioritizes authentic representation and storytelling.
- Kasey Galik, San Marcos, Calif., is an adapted physical education specialist and has inspired countless students throughout her teaching career by educating others concerning ability awareness. She establishes a personal connection as she shares the story of her learning disability and her physical loss in a boating accident that caused the amputation of her left arm.
- Kennedy Garcia, 20, Valencia, Calif., is a cancer survivor who recently became the first actress with Down syndrome to be cast in a recurring role in the soap genre as “Felicity” on Days of Our Lives. She has also appeared on such shows as This is Us, 9-1-1 and Sesame Street; and has modeled for such brands as Disney and American Girl.
- Danielle Hollobaugh, Bradenton, Fla., is a professional singer/songwriter and actor navigating the entertainment industry as a blind person. Some of her recent accomplishments include nationally airing jingles, songs placed in reality shows such as Love Island and appearances on major YouTube channels such as Dhar Mann and Smile Squad Comedy. She enjoys swimming, karate, mud runs and theme parks.
- Dewayne Jackson, Stockton, Calif., is a multi-talented actor, comedian and barber. He is a dedicated athlete who plays wheelchair basketball and softball, also channeling his passion for sports into coaching little league football, inspiring young athletes with his determination and positive attitude. He cherishes his roles as a husband, father and grandfather.
- Otto Lana, San Diego, Calif., an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, published poet/writer and actor, rolls with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools. As a speaker, he has presented 100+ times to diverse audiences, from lawmakers to elementary school students. Deeply committed to advocacy, he lobbies for increased funding/support for individuals with speech-related disabilities and educates Californians on alternatives to conservatorship. He is a dedicated Cal-ABLE ambassador and has been honored with the prestigious Heumann-Armstrong Award.
- Mayito, Huntington Park, Calif., was born in Culiacan, Sinaloa, but has spent most of his life in L.A. A little person, Mayito has Mulinrey syndrome, a rare genetic disorder with only about 110 cases worldwide. He began his entertainment career 10+ years ago with small roles in YouTube sketches and car ads. He is now a well-known entertainer, performing at major venues like The Forum in Los Angeles and touring with regional Mexican music artists. With a strong social media presence on Instagram and YouTube, El Mayito has garnered thousands of followers and millions of views.
- Betty Partida, Van Nuys, Calif., has been an active participant with Easterseals Adult Services for 14 years. A wheelchair user, she was recently appointed as VP of Our Voices Matter, a disability rights advocacy group and is deeply passionate about encouraging others to speak up for themselves.
- Trinity Robinson, 13, Hisperia, Calif., is a vibrant teen who is deaf and fluent in both ASL and English. She has a passion for dancing and sports, particularly track and field, volleyball and basketball. As a cheerleader, Trinity loves the energy and rhythm of music, which she is able to enjoy with the help of her Bluetooth hearing aids. Trinity frequently auditions for acting roles and dreams of making a name for herself in movies and on TV. Her favorite places to visit are amusement parks and the beach.
- Nik Sanchez, Costa Mesa, Calif., is an actor, model and filmmaker. He refers to himself as “awesomely autistic” and is a strong advocate for kindness. He recently made history as the first actor with autism to portray a lead character with autism in the Hallmark film, Our Christmas Journey, with Holly Robinson Peete and Lyriq Bent. Nik also played a lead role in Boris Kodjoe's directorial debut movie, Safe Room (Lifetime), opposite Nicole Ari Parker. He can also be seen in a recurring role as “Silas March” on the successful ABC series The Rookie.
- Matthew Von Der Ahe, Studio City, Calif., began acting at age 7, recently achieving prominence in the globally released film Champions. His diverse interests extend to public speaking, drumming and painting. He founded Doing my pART, a card company that donates part of its proceeds to charity. Engaged in various organizations such as Best Buddies, Spec Labs and Straight Up Abilities, he also delves into scriptwriting, recently participating in the 2024 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
- Jeffery Yip, Pasadena, Calif., is an actor and advocate for people with disabilities, whose fearless ambition is helping him achieve his goals and pave a path for others. Jeffrey, who is autistic, doesn’t let his disability stand in his way and has gained the attention of casting directors, becoming a favorite on numerous commercial productions.
THE STATS: According to the CDC, 25% of U.S. residents, more than 61 million people across the country, have a disability. Of those, 23% live in California (more than 9 million), nearly 5.5 million of them in SoCal. According to the CDC, one in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with 1 in 26 kids in California diagnosed with ASD.
About Easterseals Southern California
Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion and access through life-changing disability and community services. For more than 100 years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities. Easterseals Southern California provides essential services and on-the-ground supports to more than 18,000 people each year—from early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to autism services, daily and independent living services for adults, employment programs and more. Our public education, policy and advocacy initiatives positively shape perceptions and address the urgent and evolving needs of the one in four Americans with disabilities today. Together, we’re empowering people with disabilities, families and communities to be full and equal participants in society. Learn more at: https://www.easterseals.com/southerncal
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