Jennifer Kumiyama
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Jennifer Kumiyama is an American actor, singer, and disability rights activist living in Long Beach, California. She has performed in feature films, television, and on stage. She is the Citywide Accessibility Coordinator for the City of Long Beach.
Early life
Kumiyama was born February 21, 1980, in Riverside, California, to Marilynn Pace and Eddie Kumiyama. She has Arthrogryposis and uses a wheelchair daily. [1]
In 1985, the family moved to Long Beach, California. Then, in 1990, they moved to Fontana, California, where Kumiyama graduated from A. B. Miller High School in 1998.[1] She studied voice training at Long Beach City College and the California State University, Long Beach.[2]
Entertainment career
In 2000, Kumiyama began a career in entertainment with an appearance on the Popstars 2 television show by Warner Bros.[2] In 2002, she joined the cast of Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at the Disney California Adventure Theme Park.[3][4] She spent 13 years with the live show before it closed in 2016 and was the first Disney actor to perform onstage in a wheelchair.[1] [5]
Kumiyama performed the role of Carmen in Fox Searchlight’s 2011 Oscar-nominated movie The Sessions.[2] The film's plot involves a man with polio who wants to explore intimacy for the first time with a surrogate lover.
In 2022, Kumiyama performed in Wish, an animated feature film by Disney. She sings and voices the character Dahlia, the royal baker, in the mythical kingdom of Rosas.[3][5]
Disability advocacy
Beginning in 2014 through 2016, Kumiyama served as a commissioner for the Long Beach Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Disability.[2][5] The nine-member commission, which is appointed by the city's mayor and confirmed by the city council, compiles information, reviews studies and data, and advises city government on issues concerning the disabled community.[6]
Kumiyama won the Ms. Wheelchair California title in 2010.[1][4] The following year, she was awarded the first runner-up to Ms. Wheelchair America.[2]
The Long Beach Disability Pride organization was founded by Kumiyama in 2002.[7][5][8] Currently, she works as the Citywide Accessibility Coordinator for the city of Long Beach in the office of the city manager.[9][5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Actress from Fontana is one of the stars of new Disney movie 'Wish'". Fontana Herald News. 2023-11-18. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "On Stage and With Pageants, Jennifer Kumiyama Is Improving Life for People With Disabilities". NBC News. 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Long Beach woman who advocates for disabled is the voice of the town baker in 'Wish'". ABC7 Los Angeles. 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Antonios, Caitlin (2023-12-02). "Long Beach employee responsible for disability access stars in new Disney's film 'Wish'". the Hi-lo. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Jennifer Kumiyama shares how she didn't let her disability limit her success | Disability Pride Mont - CBS Los Angeles". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ↑ "CACOD". www.longbeach.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ↑ Editor, Richard H. Grant, Photo (2023-07-27). "Long Beach Disability Pride returns for second year". Signal Tribune. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ↑ "HOME | LB Disability Pride". My Site. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ↑ "ADA". www.longbeach.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
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