Do the Paralympics change attitudes towards disability?

I think they do change attitudes towards disability but only for the short amount of time that they are on. They promote a positive portrayal of disability but also quite a limited perspective. There needs to be more programming that presents a more general portrayal of disability, the everyday kind of experiences that people have.

I think televised exposure to everyday experiences, a point I can see made by @lauon90, is a very good point to make.

I think it does SOME good to change attitudes but we must continue to push....pushing for the realisation that what connects is, sometimes, is ordinary.

We are all human.

I loved the Coverage of the Paralympics and in part did does influence attitudes towards disabilities but in part we have to also do our bit by Effecting positive change and keeping para sports in the public Eye Not just when a games or event is on. 

I'd like to think so! It's undeniable that we've go a very long way to go with regards to changing social perceptions, but I think the Paralympics does portray disabled people in a positive light, at least for the most part. I study perceptions of disability at the minute and it fascinates me to see what people think. I do think other representations through other forms of media aren't necessarily useful, however. There's a fine line between acknowledging someone's difference and using them as an 'inspirational tool' which is, in my opinion, extremely disrespectful and unhelpful. It's a very complex issue!

Paralympics to me is a show of how man and woman can overcome and achieve great things. 

I am a great admirer of athletes like Tanni Grey who have done so much for disabled communities.  The majority of that though has been achieved after leaving sport, and taking up other roles.
 
I am also a admirer of George Eyser who was a German-American gymnast who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics, he went on to earn six medals in one day, including three gold and two silver medals.

This was an awsum achievement as Eyser competed with a wooden prosthesis for a left leg, having lost his real leg after being run over by a train. Despite his disability, he won gold in the vault, an event which then included a jump over a long horse without aid of a springboard.

To me one of the proudest moments of my life, was when my three children took part in something called a Super Tri.  Many children with additional needs took part in a triathelon, consisting of a 100m swim, a 800m bike ride and a 200m run/walk/roll. 

The event was billed as a SuperTri, for super kids, and my two youngest helped there older brother round the course.  It was inspiring to see my eldest cross the final finish line on a walking frame.  To walk 10 feet is difficult for him, and to manage the whole distance in his pacer frame,was brilliant,  but to be able to complete the task with his brothers was something else.

At that there lies my issue with the paralympics.  Im a firm believer that Disability or the inability todo something, is amplified by the social barriers that the disabled person faces.  One of these barriers is segregation. 

Im a campaigner for better access for disabled fans at footballclubs.  I set up United Discriminates, and one of the main issues i hear from fans is, I cant sit with my own fans, all the disabled fans are put together infront of the home fans. 

And to a degree,the paralympics does this also.  The BT World Wheelchair Rugby Challengen ran alongside the Rugby World Cup in 2015.  Ok it didnt get the same TV Coverage, and thats another story,but it was ran alongside the World Cup.  Visitors from allover the world, got to see and hear about Wheelchair Rugby.

Why on earth cant we integrate the Olympics and the Pralympics together.  This surely would send out a bigger message to the world.  To me the paralympics shows the strengh people have to overcome challanges they face.  Make best of what life has thrown at them. 

It could be about alot more too it could be about access and Inclusion.  And show Business, and people, that social barriers can be removed, and people with disabilities need not be left on there own, or given a "special bus".  Fit the school bus with a Tail Lift, and let them get on the bus with there mates. 

The paralympics could smahs down these barriers, imaging athelets side by side,no matter what there ability.  Its time to focus on the Ability.  after all there is no Dis in Ability. 

I volunteered for the 2010 Olympics.  I have kept the e-mail that asked me that as space was at a premium, could I manage without my scooter!  Clearly, it was regarded as an optional accessory! I use a wheelchair, am physically disabled and used to use a scooter for travelling. Somehow, people have got it in their heads that scooter users aren't really disabled!.  I use an expensive travel electric wheelchair now.