The lack of disabled and people of difference in the media

RacheleLeahSilvera

This is an issue that I myself share strong views about and would love to hear what others think about the matter.

chiarieds

There's also perhaps the fact that there are not so many disabled actors, etc., rather than disabled people, or other minorities not being accurately represented in the media. I don't feel that there's a conscious effort to exclude such people, in fact, at least there are more disabled people in the media nowadays. Do they always portray what others with their disorder might have to give a better understanding?

66Mustang

chiarieds said:

There's also perhaps the fact that there are not so many disabled actors, etc., rather than disabled people, or other minorities not being accurately represented in the media. I don't feel that there's a conscious effort to exclude such people, in fact, at least there are more disabled people in the media nowadays. Do they always portray what others with their disorder might have to give a better understanding?

That’s a really good question. I’ve noticed people in the media with disorders often appear to be suffering from the whatever the stereotype of that disorder is (for example an OCD sufferer will be obsessed with cleanliness) which would then go on to further strengthen the stereotype. Whether they are “playing up” to the stereotype for the media, I don’t know.

Cher_Alumni

@RacheleLeahSilvera You might find this discussion 'Let's talk about the lack of disabled actors on television' thread interesting.  

I agree - often where disabled characters are present, the storyline tends to revolve around the tragedy of their impairment rather than a realistic depiction of them living their everyday-life as a disabled person.  Their bodily difference often becomes the plot-line which reinforces disabled people as different and harks back to the days of being spectacles and freak-shows.  

Progress is underway but much needs to be done in my opinion!