Media representation of disabled individuals has long been a battle between authenticity and tokenism. Too often, Hollywood has relied on non-disabled actors to play disabled roles, reducing the lived experiences of real disabled people to mere performances. But in recent years, there have been promising shifts.

Disney Channel’s Out of My Mind is one of those rare moments where they got it right. The film features an actual disabled actress in the lead role—something that shouldn’t be revolutionary but still is. Accurate casting isn’t just about fairness; it’s about authenticity. The difference is clear when you watch a performance by someone who truly understands the nuances of living with a disability.

Beyond traditional film and television, YouTube has become a powerful platform for disability representation. Creators like Shane and Hannah from Squirmy and Grubs have built a massive audience by sharing their real-life experiences as an interabled couple. They’ve even taken their advocacy a step further with their new book, Interabled, proving that there’s a demand for real, unfiltered stories about disability.

But while we’re seeing slow progress in film and digital content, there’s another industry where representation remains a major challenge: music.

The Music Industry’s Untold Struggle

Music has always had its share of disabled artists—Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Healey. Their talent was undeniable, but their success stories are the exception, not the rule. Making music is already difficult, but when you add physical disabilities into the mix, the obstacles multiply. It’s not just about adapting instruments or finding new ways to play—though that’s a challenge in itself. It’s about access to the industry.

Now, I know some of you are going to say, “Wait a minute—record labels are dead.” Yeah, that’s true. The music industry isn’t what it used to be. In theory, it should be easier than ever to put your creative work in front of people. But here’s the thing: Even with the democratization of music, visibility is still a fight, and disabled artists are still at a disadvantage.

My guess is that a lot of artists out there who may be disabled are like me—they don’t want to lead with their disability because that’s not what defines them. They just want to be recognized for their music, and I get that. No one wants to be the “disabled musician.” They want to be the musician—full stop.

But here’s the problem: If you don’t wave the “I’m gimpy” flag, people don’t notice you. And if you do wave it, the industry immediately turns you into an inspiration porn story. Either way, it’s frustrating as hell.

At some point, though, if you want to break through as an artist, you’ve got to shove your dick in everybody’s face. Yeah, I said it. Because that’s how this industry works. You have to force people to pay attention. And if they’re not giving disabled artists the same shot as everyone else, maybe it’s time to shove twice as hard.

It’s Time to Make Space

The mainstream entertainment world is slowly shifting toward more accurate representation in film and television. It’s time for the music industry to do the same—to recognize disabled artists not as novelties, but as musicians with just as much talent, potential, and market appeal as anyone else.

Because representation matters—on-screen, online, and on the radio. It’s time for all forms of media to embrace disabled artists for who they are—not as inspiration stories, but as creators with valuable contributions to make. And if the industry isn’t ready for that conversation? Well, maybe it’s time to make them listen.