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Disability on Tv
Brightsidebecs
Member, Scope Volunteer Posts: 88 Pioneering
What does everyone think about the increase of tv shows and streaming services been more inclusive towards people with disability’s? I think it is fantastic and about time as disabled people are just as important as able bodied people! I love shoes like the circle. As it is showing diversity and using assistive technology which is useful for all!
Rebecca
Replies
But I was thinking hey up Paddy, stop jumping about on your crutches, you might lose your PIP!!!
I was really surprised that I'd never learnt what actually causes CP until Paddy explained it in the circle! Likewise with Georgina's Chrons...I even know people with Chrons but didn't know exactly what causes it! I've got a lot of respect for her talking about it so openly as well, it's something she could have so easily kept hidden...I personally find it really difficult, awkward and embarrassing to mention anything to do with my IBS in real life which isn't nearly as bad!
I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way but I'm very 'squeamish' and easily shocked by less common visible conditions... I guess a lot of people are the same? It means that I can accidentally stare or suddenly look away, but it isn't intentional and I always feel bad for the other person if they notice.
This is why inclusion is very important as well. This is 2019 after all. We need to remember that. One of my goals is to get my son doing normal fun activities like bowling, ice skating etc next year. That has not been a priority but that will change soon.
I hope your son all the best in starting new activities
Most of the shows it seems to be a token gesture and producers looking for sympathy vote and not empowering people.
I don’t care if someone is presenting from a wheelchair, using a text to speech reader or anything in between.
I want to see genuine interaction and focusing on what they know and do and not their disability.
I’m also disappointed the ATOS,Lima and Maximus fraud persists and it claws me that my mate with spinal problems and letters from consultants and operations gets his DLA snatched away for 2 years, yet some lazy bint I know who has never worked- bar possibly horizontal tango and third generation bad back- gets away with murder.
the local market town getting pregnant to get a house is a badge of honour and single mothers dream- I despair.
Know what you mean about token gestures for disabled people on TV.
I didn't realise that some people of colour felt the same until I saw a young lady saying "I am the token black woman on here" (Big Brother when it first started)
I still remember being shocked with that reality and for years kept an eye on TV and goodness, she was right!
Things seem to be a bit better now though so hopefully it will also improve for disability on TV.
Example the receptionist at local hospital in a wheelchair--always friendly and efficient.
Then I deeply dislike the section of society who use disability as a lever to manipulate others.
I don't want to see some idealised fake sob stories.
I want normal interactions and successes.
Example young disabled person passing driving test.
Person getting promoted at work as job well done etc and disability seen but not focused on.
I remember watching the paralympics and hearing all the amazing "triumph over adversity" stories of the paralympians and being very impressed before they had even competed in their events.did i feel that way about the other athletes? No not until they had won their events.
I like to relate to the people on screen but i find its a two edged sword. Inclusion is great but not charicatures or tokens. I dont want to see disable people being portrayed as 100% good and noble . Or as they often used to be portrayed as evil or the baddie or a subject of derision or hate because of their disability. The disability should not be the main focus, neither should it be ignored.
There is a deaf actress on the walking dead who is an actress who happens to be deaf playing a deaf character. She is a character first. her role is fully developed and important to the narrative of the show. Others accommodate her when necessary but she holds her own and isnt always needing to be rescued because of her "vulnerability". I think this is a very realistic way of representing disability, her condition isnt instantly visible, as is the case for many of us in the real world. The more we are represented and seen the more we are viewed as a useful part of the world. But there can be a backlash ,as there has been about the number of non white people on our screens. I am not equating disabilty to ethnicity, i am just using ethnicity to explain that some people hate to see difference, some people feel threatened by the fact that difference exists.
Take care Mr Buttons.....xxxxx