Life is hard enough, but add the extra challenges that come from having a disability where you have to learn the art of adapting to accomplish even the simplest of things but do so and keep a positive outlook, to be a happy, participating member of society, have meaning in your life despite the added personal challenges and then not get a fair opportunity based soley on the fact of being a person with a disability. Life can be a little difficult to deal with it should not have the complications of being discriminated! Everyone should have a fair and equal opportunity. Isn't that what this country is all about?

The industry does not have any statistics on the representation or employment of those with a disability. Probably because it is nearly non-existent and no one has made a loud enough protest (yet) like it has been in the past with other minorities sub-groups!

How is it the largest and fastest growing minority is the most ignored and discriminated against?

How can those with a disability be so dismissed in an industry full of people, groups and organizations that support equality for all?

All are questions I do not have any answers for BUT I do have a solution!

I invite you to visit the whole website - look at the tabs at the top of this page to direct you to the About Us, Feature Film Projects, Short Film and Short Stories I will adapt into screenplays and certainly to the Featured Actors page for a small sample of the actors with a disAbility who struggle just like most actors do only with the knowing going into an audition they will be and are constantly discriminated against.

Hello, my name is Larry N. Sapp II. I am a paraplegic from a spinal cord injury I survived on April 1, 1995. The quote from above is one of my favorites and I use as my email signature. I got it from Mr. Evans' Special Feature section of the DVD and as he narrated it I copied it down word for word! Notice it it does not say all by yourself. It may be my entrepreneurialism, vision, focus and passion that has created what you see here - but I cannot make it a reality and give the dignity of recognition that authentic representation will bring to so many - all by myself - and that is why I need you. If you just want the bottom line on how to help then please - click here. Otherwise please read the following.

Two very important facts that I have uncovered in my years of contacting many within Hollywood. First, most feel that this issue of being able to represent ourselves - is not important. And for those that do think it has some importance believe there are programs out there that deal with this and therefore they do not need to worry about it. I think that is just their justification to not deal with it - and that could be for many reasons such as not knowing how to properly deal with it as to not offend. While the truth is that there are some Hollywood sponsored Diversity Programs - many do not include those with a disAbility - many do not even believe that those with a disAbility are a minority group. After my nearly 13 years facing this every day - read here about the truth of the Diversity Programs in Hollywood.

And I can assure you it is very important issue. Hollywood has just accepted that able bodied people can represent those with a disAbility. In a recent discussion with an active member in the "business" countered by point on this by asking if I thought only a police detective could portray a police detective. While there are certain aspects that face members of a police department such as the dangers that range from merely walking up to a car that has been pulled over to chasing a killer - and they could be represented more authentically by a person who was once a police detective - it is not the same. But you could tell a difference. Any film based on one of the John Grisham novels do have more of an authetnic nature to them over all other films that are focused on or around the the law in a Justice court or legal based.

This is not the same as being paralyzed for life. A profession or a life long study of any subject is not the same as having to live daily with a severe disAbility like paralysis.

The Equal Employment talks about not be disciminated against based on race, gender, age or disAbility. It doesn't include being based on being a police detective! And there is damn good reason for that. Life with a disAbility and especially as those that I feature and live with as a paraplegic is more significant then what I do for a living. It is obviously just as important as the other categories listed, as in race, gender, creed, or age. Only those all get fair and equal representation - even authentic representation - except for those with a disAbility.

Between the industry wide stereotypes and discrimination added with the fact that most do not think this is important to even consider or that most of the Diversity Programs do not include those with a disAbility and those that do are not substantial in providing any voice or representation. IF THIS WERE NOT TRUE - THEN WHERE ARE THE AUTHENTIC VOICE AND REPRESENTATION OF THOSE WITH A DISABILITY IN MOVIES AND TELEVISION? Therefore it is obvious that those with a disAbility have no where to turn and I think you can see why I need your help. I have done the work and it is ready to go into action but I need the support of Hollywood to make it a reality.

I need you in both general and specific support. And the fact that this page is still here means that despite the many, many people I have attempted to contact within the business, I have not gotten any positive responses. As we all know it will only take one, just one person from within the business to believe in this Mission and believe in me to launch the plan of a permanent solution. And because I know when people do visit this website and read only a portion of it it is clear how important this is to those with a disAbility and to their family and friends. 25% of all American households have a person with a disAbility living there. Yet they all must accept other people who have no idea - and most do not want to know or trade places with any of them - can write, direct and act for them in movies and television! That is insane. Obviously you are concerned about the future providing an authentic voice & representation of those with a disAbility. So I thank you for taking a sincere interest in what will have such a deep impact for so many.

You maybe surprised as I was when I began this Mission over 12 years ago - there are programs and grants and opportunities in the motion picture & television industry for nearly every group you can think of but...those with a disAbility. I know you may find that hard to believe but even in the so called "Diverse" programs by the studios, associations and even government programs all deal with ethnic/racial opportunities for African-Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, Asian-Americans, etc are where you find the largest amount of programs under the "Diversity" definition. Gender is another where there are a lot of programs to help women have a voice in entertainment, for high school students or those under a certain age most of the time no older than 25, for those who are members of the gay, lesbian and transgender community - but hardly none that will list those with a disAbility as part of their "Diverse" programs.

This is where Abilities United Productions will be a helpful avenue for those with a disAbility - the largest and fastest growing minority subgroup in America. In fact in the future I hope to provide opportunity for those with a disABility with a non-profit organization, "Adaptable Artisans" that will raise awareness and funding for workshops, training, mentoring programs exclusively for those with a disAbility. But that is in the future. We have to begin with what I have created here with "Abilities United Productions" and prove that an authentic voice and representation will break the Hollywood stereotypes, help end the discrimination of those with a disAbility, and will be a commercial success! Bottom line in any business and certainly show business is no exception. And this is something I have taken in account in my business plan for our film and television projects!

How much of an impact and how big is this problem?

How many films or television programs do you currently see that feature a character with a disability? Hard to find any huh? Ok, then think back to all the previous movies and television programs that you can think of and how many of them featured a character with a disability? Ah, now we can think of some - like "Born on the Fourth of July", "Coming Home", "My Left Foot", "Other Side of the Mountain", "I am Sam", "The Other Sister", "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" and there are others but consider these relative questions:

Do these accurately represent those with a disAbility?

When we add them all up are they a proportionate ratio of those with a disability in our society today?

Are any of them authentically written, directed, produced, and/or acted by a person with the same or similar disability?

Do those with a disability have a fair and equal opportunity to provide an authentic voice and representation in today's motion pictures and television?

I can tell you with certainty that the answer to each of them is no!

For comparison to other minority subgroups in America look at these approximate numbers:

40 million Hispanics

40 million African-Americans

15 million gay, lesbian and trans-genders

and

56 million Americans with a disability

How many films, television programs, even television/cable networks are devoted to each of these groups? I can think of many for the first three but hardly any for the last and it’s the largest and fastest growing minority sub-group in America. And it will continue to be as the Baby-Boomer generation reaches and enters into retirement age when people are most likely to acquire a disability. In addition they will be the most wealthy generation to retire and have planned longer for their retirement and therefore will have more to spend (Diversity, Inc., Packaged Facts, and The NY Times).

It is amazing the lack of representation, let alone authentic representation in today's entertainment media. 1 in 5 Americans and 1 in 4, that is 25%, of all American Households have a perseon with a disability! Numbers are one thing but is there a culture to be recognized and has the overwhelming number of those with a disability been recognized as a significant market of consumers?

This time I am happy to say that the answer is a definite YES! Look at the short video below produced by "The Wheel Life" (visit them later at theWheelLife.com) and see the some of the Facts in the column to the left.

To be honest I never thought about these things before my accident. I never knew anyone with a disability until I became a person with a disability. It was at the time of my accident in 1995, that I was changing my career focus from being a music video director to a feature film director. The accident changed my life and although the bottom half of my body is paralyzed, my passion for filmmaking is not! In fact it has made it even more focused when I found little to no authentic representation in the entertainment that I love.

I am one who looks at the problem and think of ways I can provide a solution. It has taken me 12+ years to get to this point and now with clearly defined mission and vision and all the correct materials in a specific business model, I am ready for the next level. I have been trying to get the attention of Hollywood for their assistance in working together toward a solution and one that is a win-win-win for everyone involved, but being on the outside of the system, I am having a very difficult time getting past the front door, or rather the receptionist and/or assistant to the Hollywood makers who can help me implement the solution and make a difference.

Remember that the stereotypes, discrimination, the lack of inclusion in the diversity programs and policies leaves those of us with a disAbility without a fair and equal opportunity to express and authentic voice and representation. Abilities United Productions can do all of that and more but cannot do it alone.

This is where I need your help - in getting the attention of those within the motion picture and television industry. If you are one from within the business or have contacts within the business then please tell them about Abilities United Productions or contact me with their information and I will be happy to contact them myself - I only need a few minutes to present my solution to providing authentic voice and representation of those with a disability - and is also keeping the main focus on what the movie business is about - entertainment that is commercially viable - along with these film projects we will be "Breaking the Hollywood Stereotypes of Characters and People with a disAbility" while also helping to end the terrible and blatant discrimination of those with a disability on both sides of the camera!

If you are in the business and a producer, executive, or a name recognizable talented performer then please consider being a part of one of my film projects. I have large and small co-starring roles next to my feature character with a disAbility that will be portrayed by an actor with a disAbility. By attaching yourself to any of these projects will go a long way in greenlighting them and your participation will directly help end the discrimination of actors with a disAbility! Visit the Features page or the Short Stories that will soon be adapted into feature film screenplays page and see if there is a story you like and would like more info on the story and characters involved. Maybe you will find what I strive for - making all the characters interesting and relevant to the storytelling on film! Be a part of history and join one of our film projects as a producer, a distributor, a co-production company, or in any one of the fabulous co-starring roles!

If you are not a person within the motion picture and/or television industry or have any contacts within, we can still use your support. In fact whether you are or are not a person connected with the business - Please tell me and Hollywood how you feel about all of the attitudes, stereotypes, discrimination and more importantly in the solution by providing an authentic voice and representation of those with a disAbility. Look around the website here and if you like a particular film story (screenplay and short story) tell me about it and what you liked about it!

At the very least PLEASE show your support and leave me any comments on how you feel about what we are accomplishing as we all participate in what history will soon record as a "turning point" in American Cinema for those with a disAbility! Send your comments using the Contact page or call me anytime - my cell number is 435-512-4994. Or if you prefer email me directly at Larry@AbilitiesUnited.com Please note that if you are a celebrity or public figure I will confirm any comments if and before they are posted or used for promotional purposes showing your support. See the new Privacy Policy for further details.

As you might know from my blog or other communications, I have had a rather challenging 12 months which most recently has been capped by being let go from my full time job two weeks before Christmas, and then to my van troubles forcing me to skip the Sundance fest where I wanted to go and create awareness & gain some support for our cause. So, if you wish to support with a financial contribution to help keep the dream alive and progress the dream into reality, pushing it to the next level - please contact me personally at 435-512-4994 or at Larry@AbilitiesUnited.com Keep in mind this is a personal contribution gift and that it is going to a person to keep the company moving. It is not going to a non-profit organization or directly to the company although the company and I are like one at his point and I look forward to that growing to include others in various roles (another way you could help could be in one of these roles - I can use your experience and dedication to the business) but for now any contribution is a great help in keeping me paying my bills and working on this dream that will affect MILLIONS OF AMERICANS!

So there are many ways to help:

1. Bring attention to those you know in Hollywood that can help launch Abilities United as a permanent solution for providing an authentic voice & representation allowing us to finally REPRESENT OURSELVES.

2. If you are an actor, producer, executive - please consider being "attached" to any of my film projects. You know and I know that Hollywood would pay dearly for projects that have name recognozable talent attached! All I need is them to pay attention! I work hard at making compelling non-stereotypical characters and stories that actors will be attracted to many of the characters. Here we can & will prove to Hollywood that A-List actors can be a part of the film without putting them in a wheelchair to take away from actors with a disAbility and the authentic representation it provides. Your participation will go a long way into helping to end the discrimination of actors with a disAbility.

3. Both industry personnel as well as the fans of movies and Abilities United - Please write your comments of support - tell me so I can post them on the website and in promotional material and show Hollywood and the world that you and many others - with and without a disAbility that support the mission of Abilities United Productions in exclusively providing the authentic voice and representation of those with a disAbility.

4. Contribute some spare change! Anything from $20 - $20,000 will be of a great assistance while I continue to move myself to the LA area and the company to be launched into full production of our feature and/or short films.

5. If you have a website and want to exchange links and/or banner/badge then please contact me at Larry@AbilitiesUnited.com

Remember TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

I thank you and not just for myself as a filmmaker with a disAbility but on behalf of the 56 million Americans within the largest and fastest growing minority - those with a disability in getting a fair, equal and authentic opportunity to represent ourselves in the entertainment world!

Sincerely,

Larry N. Sapp II

An Authentic Voice and Representation

for those with a disAbility!