GUEST BIO

Lauren Appelbaum is the SVP, Entertainment & Media, at Disability Belongs™. As an individual with an acquired nonapparent disability – Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – she regularly conducts trainings on the why and how to be more inclusive and accessible.

She works within the entertainment industry to create equitable and accessible opportunities to increase the number of people with lived disability experience throughout the overall story-telling process. These initiatives increase diverse and authentic representation of disabled people on screen, leading to systemic change in how society views and values disabled people. She created the Entertainment Lab and Children’s Content Lab to build disability community within the industry and connect Fellows to opportunities, both on the creative and business sides of the industry.

Appelbaum has a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University and previously worked for NBC News’ Political Unit. She is currently pursuing a certificate in Business and Management of Entertainment through UCLA Extension.