Civil Rights Hero Award to be Bestowed to Actor and I AM PWD Chairperson Robert David Hall at California State Capitol Ceremony

January 14, 2009 (Sacramento) – The Performers With Disabilities (PWD) Tri-Union Committee of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced today that the Civil Rights Hero Award was bestowed to actor and disability rights activist Robert David Hall for his longstanding commitment to equal rights for persons with disabilities in the entertainment and media industries.  The ceremony was part of a press conference at the State Capitol Building today at 10:00 AM, honoring California’s “Civil Rights Heroes.”  The other honorees are:  California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, the late Dionicio Morales and Harvey Milk.

Robert David Hall, national chair of the Tri-Union Performers with Disabilities Committee and a regular on the CBS series CSI (Crime Scene Investigation), spearheaded the creation of the recently launched I AM PWD (Inclusion in the Arts & Media of People With Disabilities) national disability rights campaign. “On the 50th anniversary of California’s landmark civil rights law, the Department proudly salutes Robert David Hall and the I AM PWD Campaign for helping to ensure performers and media artists with disabilities have equal access to employment,” said DFEH Director Phyllis Cheng. 

Expressing gratitude for this honor, Hall added that “The lion’s share of this award truly goes to the many performers and activists who came together to give shape to the I AM PWD Campaign.  The discrimination that persons with disabilities continue to face in the entertainment and news industries has to be challenged loudly, with unity and with a global effort to educate the public to the lack of inclusion, access and accuracy in an industry that shapes our idea of the world around us, and that reflects an image of who we are.  Simply put, if we are not seen or heard, we remain invisible.  On behalf of all who work on the Campaign, I accept this award as a symbol of support for removing any and all barriers on the path of true equality, dignity and respect for people with disabilities.  Disability rights are Human rights.”

Hosted by the State and Consumer Services Agency and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), the awards kick-off events commemorate the 50th anniversary of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the leading state civil rights law in the nation.  The Act predates and provides broader protections than its federal counterparts, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1968 Fair Housing Act.  The “Civil Rights Heroes” Awards underscore California’s commitment to civil rights.

On Thursday, January 15, at the Sacramento Convention Center, DFEH, the City of Sacramento, State and local agencies, and the U.S. Department of Justice are presenting an all-day forum on civil rights for people with disabilities.  I AM PWD Campaign activist and actor, Scott Krantz, will deliver the opening Keynote Address for this session.  AFTRA and SAG staff will also provide informational materials on the Campaign. 
Interested allies are urged to join the I AM PWD network of supporters by signing up at www.IAMPWD.org.

About I AM PWD
I AM PWD is a global civil rights campaign seeking equal employment opportunities for artists and professionals with disabilities throughout the entertainment and news media. Founded in 2008 by the Actors Equity Association (AEA), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Tri-Union Performers With Disabilities Committee, I.AM.PWD is dedicated to ending the discrimination and exclusion of performers and broadcasters with disabilities. I.AM.PWD is uniting labor, industry, community and governmental allies in the fight to combat continuing discrimination against people with disabilities. Visit I AM PWD at www.IAMPWD.org.