Interview with The Umbrella Academy actor Ken Hall: 'My character subverts the powers that be'

Great question! It's slowly adapting as is society. It's an interesting time to be alive and experiencing the change and cultural shifts that are happening i.e. Black Lives Matter, trans rights, LGTBQ+ and indigenous voices and stories acknowledged and affirmed in a broader societal context.  For people with disabilities change is happening albeit slowly. I'm one of the most physically diverse comedians in Toronto and certainly in the improv scene which is strange to say. It's taken a long time for the industry to adapt to physical diversity but certainly having more people with disabilities be seen in realistic and empowering ways can go a long way to shift minds and find acceptance of differences. I think of the power of a show like Sesame Street that has tried to introduce more of what real life looked like in a way that didn't make people be feel afraid of differences. So the more that we see and hear people with disabilities not only will our stories/shows be richer for it but we send a powerful message that if you are different you belong and there is a place for you.  And this starts not just in the hiring of people with disabilities but to make training and outreach more viable for people to access training centres, programs and classes. That's how you can begin to effect positive change by showing people that there is a place on our screens, on our stages and in our classrooms. I'm glad I'm part of the conversation.