EASTERSEALS DISABILITY ARTS & CULTURE AWARDS

All social media with related content and/or created by a person with a disability is eligible for Best Social Creator. Award is given to the content creator (individual or duo) who hosts the affiliated account.

SOCIAL CREATOR SUBMISSIONS TIMELINE 

Submissions Open: June 16, 2026

Early Deadline: June 22, 2026 / Fee: $25

Regular Deadline: July 3, 2026 / Fee: $50

Final Deadline: July 14, 2026 / Fee: $75

Nominations Announced: August 2026

MISSION

The Disability Arts and Culture Awards (DARCYS) honor excellence in representation and inclusion across the full spectrum of disability in film, television, digital and emerging media. We celebrate storytellers and changemakers who are reshaping narratives, eliminating stereotypes, and setting the standard for disability inclusion across the entertainment industry. 

VISION

The Disability Arts and Culture Awards (DARCYS) strives for authentic disability representation and inclusion as a driving creative force in all forms of media.

CORE CRITERIA

For all categories, Nominating Committees will utilize the following criteria in shaping their selections. Submissions must possess these criteria to qualify for consideration.

1. Accurate Representation: Content must showcase authentic casting and representation of disabled talent in front of and/or behind the camera. Nominated content ideally brings authentic, multi-dimensional representation of disability to the forefront irrespective of the plots and/or themes of the content. 

2. Impact: Content ideally has reached new audiences or sparked dialogue to provide significant impact for disability arts and culture.

3. Overall Quality and Inclusion: High quality content that embodies uniqueness of vision, original/provocative subject matter and inclusion of people with disabilities both in front of and/or behind the camera.