Definitions
“Media: For the purposes of this paper, we will be defining media as scripted television and film, broadcast and streaming—and looking at the representation of disabled people both in front of and behind the camera.“
“Disability: The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability. The ADA makes it unlawful to discriminate against anyone based on their association with a person with a disability.”
Disabled people vs. people with disabilities: We want to acknowledge one of the significant debates in the disability community: people-first vs. identity-first language. This refers to the difference between the terms “people with disabilities” vs. “disabled people.” For the purposes of this paper, we will be using identity-first language, while respecting both perspectives.” [5]
Disability equality in the media
Disability equality in the media promoting an accurate image and enhancing the voice of persons with disabilities in the media
“People with disabilities are an integral part of society. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than one billion people with disabilities in the world, which is one eighth of the world’s population.
The disability community urges the media to cooperate in representing an authentic and positive image of a person with a disability, the diversity of disability subcultures, the dignity and uniqueness of each person, and their capabilities and potential, which can contribute to the development of the whole society. That is why the idea arose to create guidelines with recommendations on disability representation in the media for activists of the movement of people with disabilities.” [1]
Media coverage has a huge impact on public perceptions, attitudes and behavior of all citizens, including persons with disabilities. “Representation in the media is powerful. Seeing stories on screen that reflect your experience can offer comfort, validation and hope. However, compared to other minority groups, authentic disability stories can be hard to find. A new streaming service, Disability Media Network, is trying to change that by showcasing short series, documentaries and movies featuring a wide range of disabilities.” [2]
Guideline
“The guidelines consist of four parts. The first one reveals the concept of understanding disability and different models for considering this phenomenon, which allow society to rethink the perception of disability. The second describes the rights-based approach to disability that underlies the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (its summary is presented in these guidelines). The third part provides the main principles that are recommended to be followed when creating media materials about disability. A range of approaches to disability representation in the media recommended by disability rights activists are described in Part 4 of these guidelines.” [1]
There are symbols (see below) in the text to make it easier to read.
Identification symbol of the types of information in the text:
“Disability in the Media” guidelines have been developed in Kyrgyz, Russian, and English. An electronic version, as well as a version in an adapted format (Easy to Read), an audio format, and an electronic version in Braille, are available on the UNDP website (UNDP: official website; URL: https://www.undp.org/kyrgyzstan).” [1]
Changing perceptions
“Attention should be drawn to the image of disability in the media with a view to an accurate and balanced portrayal of disability as a part of everyday life. The media can play an important role in presenting disability issues in a way that could dispel negative stereotypes and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Furthermore, options should be developed on how to present persons with disabilities in various media and the importance of supporting the work of the United Nations to build a peaceful and inclusive society for all.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities can work as a tool to enhance the work of the media in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as to promoting their access to education, employment, health and other areas of development on an equal basis with others.” [3]
US media on the world stage
“The United States, as a prolific exporter of influential media content, is an inclusion leader internationally, sharing how these meaningful changes were orchestrated” [5]
Tips on promoting the positive portrayal of people with disabilities
“It is very important that both journalists and communications professionals connect disability issues with human dignity and rights. Here are some tips for promoting the positive portrayal of persons with disabilities:
- Support the human rights-based approach.
- Focus on the person, not the impairment.
- Emphasize ability, not the disability (unless it is critical to the story).
- Show persons with disabilities as active in society.
- Allow people with disabilities to speak for themselves.
- Don’t overemphasize disabled ‘heroes”. [4]
“What can the media do to support reporting on disability and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in all spheres of society? Here are some recommendations:
• Raise awareness of the challenges facing people with disabilities and issues surrounding disability, and factors that contribute to the exclusion and stigmatization of people with disabilities.
• Bring discussion of disability into the public arena to challenge the idea of it as a taboo subject.
• Feature examples of people with disabilities as providers of expertise, services, assistance and as contributors of financial support to their families and communities.
• Promote the message that people with disabilities are present in every community across the globe. They have the same range of emotions, interests, talents, skills and behavior as the rest of the population and should be portrayed as having the same complexity of personality and experience as other people of similar age and situation.” [4]
“Focusing on disability inclusion allows the media industry to create more diverse, authentic, and relatable content that reflects the real-world experiences of its audience. Also Improving disability representation in media involves actively including diverse disability narratives and hiring creators and actors with disabilities to ensure authenticity.” [6]
Resources
[1] https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-10/disability_in_the_media_1.pdf
[3] https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/resources/disability-and-the-media.html
[4] https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—ed_emp/—ifp_skills/documents/publication/wcms_127002.pdf
[5] https://www.fordfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/judyheumann_report_2019_final.pdf
[6] https://userway.org/blog/disability-representation-in-media/