Thoughts on this image?

SarahT41
SarahT41 Scope Member Posts: 58 Contributor
edited January 2025 in Current affairs
Screenshot_20250122-154239_Chrome.jpg

I came across this article, and although it definitely isn't the sentiment of the article itself, I'm a bit uncomfortable with this image showing people "trapped" inside wheelchair symbols.

The article I'd definitely class as the social model of disability in sentiment, but this image just seems the opposite - wheelchairs don't trap people, inaccessibility traps people!

I don't know if it's a stock image but I don't think the Guardian should be using it to represent disabled people. The comments of the article have been closed so I can't comment on there.

I'm interested to hear other peoples thoughts.

Image description: Screenshot of an article on the Guardian titled "Shut away and ignored: thousands of disabled adults are at the frontier of the human rights struggle". The accompanying image of a cartoon, showing three transparent wheelchair symbols. You can see a silhouette of a distressed person trapped inside each one, two standing and one seated. A standing figure stands infront of them holding a clipboard"

Comments

  • Chris75_
    Chris75_ Online Community Member Posts: 4,791 Championing

    John Harris is the father of a disabled teenager and I think this article was very insightful. I see nothing wrong with the illustration, quite frankly.

  • SarahT41
    SarahT41 Scope Member Posts: 58 Contributor
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/971955#Comment_971955

    I agree completely about the article being insightful, sorry I should have made that clearer.

  • Chris75_
    Chris75_ Online Community Member Posts: 4,791 Championing

    Looking at the image , I feel it is trying to portray the disabled person as stigmatised and unable to escape the prison of their disability. A prison built for them by society.

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