In Survivor's remarkable 50-season legacy, ten contestants with disabilities have not just competed—they've thrived, breaking barriers and changing perceptions. Yet as CBS announces its largest-ever returning cast for Season 50 in 2026, drawing from contestants across all eras,, these groundbreaking players are notably absent from the lineup.
The show's history of disability representation spans decades, with contestants achieving remarkable success:
Survivor's trailblazers
There were ten contestants on past Survivor seasons that have disabilities:
1. Eva Erickson
Appearance: Survivor 48
Disability: Autism
Ranking: Finished in 2nd Place
2. Mitch Guerra
Appearance: Survivor 48
Disability: Stuttering
Ranking: Finished in 5th Place
3. Ricard Foyè
Appearance: Survivor 41
Disability: Unilateral Hearing Loss
Ranking: Finished in 5th Place
4. Jess Chong
Appearance: Survivor 46
Disability: ADHD
Ranking: Voted off on Day 5
5. Drea Wheeler
Appearance: Survivor 42
Disability: Legally Blind
Ranking: Finished in 11th Place
6. Christy Smith
Appearance: Survivor 6
Disability: Deaf
Ranking: Finished in 6th Place
7. Ryan Medrano
Appearance: Survivor 43
Disability: Cerebral Palsy
Ranking: Finished in 9th Place
8. Wendy Diaz
Appearance: Survivor 38
Disability:Tourette Syndrome, OCD, and ADHD
Ranking: Finished in 7th Place
9. James "Chad" Crittenden
Appearance: Survivor 9
Disability: Amputee
Ranking: Finished in 8th Place
10. Leif Manson
Appearance: Survivor 24
Disability: Dwarfism
Ranking: Finished in 9th Place
These contestants didn't just participate—they excelled, with many making deep runs into their seasons!
Their achievements make their absence from Season 50's reunion cast all the more glaring. With such strong records and compelling stories that inspired millions, the question remains: why weren't any of these groundbreaking contestants invited back for this milestone season?
The tokenism question
The delicate balance between meaningful representation and tokenism has always been a challenge in reality television. While Survivor's inclusion of disabled contestants has led to authentic, compelling storytelling, the show's approach to reunion seasons tells a different story. Is featuring contestants with disabilities during regular seasons, only to overlook them for milestone events, a form of tokenism?
The answer isn't simple. These contestants weren't just "the disabled contestant" of their season—they were complex players who brought strategy, social gameplay, and unique perspectives to the show. Eva Erickson's runner-up finish in Season 48 wasn't about her autism; it was about her masterful strategic game. Ricard Foyè wasn't defined by his hearing loss but by his cutthroat gameplay and memorable blindsides.
Moving forward: How CBS can do better
My thoughts on how CBS can improve:
1. Active Inclusing in All-Star Seasons:
* Consider competitive along side diversity when selecting returning players.
* Recognize that representation matters, especially in landmark seasons
* Acknowledge that disabled contestants have earned their spots through gameplay, not tokenism
2. Infrustructure and Support
* Improve accommodations processes for returning seasons
* Consult with former disabled contestants about making the show more accessible
* Create opportunities that don't compromise the game's integrity while ensuring equal participation
3. Legacy Recognition
* Highlight the impact these contestants had on breaking barriers in reality TV
* Share their stories during milestone celebrations
* Create specific reunion events or documentary content featuring these groundbreaking players.
The path forward isn't about special treatment—it's about equal opportunity to return based on merit, strategy, and entertainment value. These contestants have proven they can survive, outwit, and outplay.
Now it's time for CBS to ensure they're not just part of Survivor's past, but also its future.