“CODA,” which features a largely deaf cast, wins major recognition at the Oscars, prompting discussion about how much the film changes opportunities for disabled actors. Filmmaker Siân Heder argues that while the film is a milestone, it does not fundamentally reshape Hollywood’s practices for disabled people.
The Independent and the Winnipeg Free Press both frame “CODA” as an industry turning point, but emphasize that impact remains limited. Both outlets highlight Heder’s view that broader and sustained change has not occurred, despite the visibility created by awards attention. They also point to her hopes for “Being Heumann,” suggesting that future work may better address representation and accessibility beyond what “CODA” achieved.
While the articles share the same central message, they differ mainly in how they set the discussion: both start from “CODA”’s Oscars success, but Heder’s perspective and the direction of her follow-up project are used to look ahead rather than to measure immediate reform.
