Persons with Disabilities

In this section, you can find...

In this section, we explore common media representations of people with disabilities. We also discuss issues relating to people with disabilities finding work in media and challenge common assumptions about people with physical and mental disabilities.

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Media Portrayals of Persons with Disabilities: Introduction

Persons with disabilities might best be described, in the media at least, as an invisible minority: though a large segment of the population has a physical or mental disability they have been almost entirely absent from the mass media until recent years. Moreover, when persons with disabilities appear they almost always do so in stereotyped roles.

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Common Portrayals of Persons with Disabilities

Part of stereotyping is the attitude that all members of a particular group are the same, or else fall into a very small number of types. This is particularly true in the few cases where persons with a disability appear in media

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Concerns about Media Representation of Disability

Media Coverage of Disability Issues: Persons with disabilities receive similar treatment in the news.

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Media Portrayals of Persons with Disabilites: Solutions

Media producers have recognized that they must make efforts to better represent persons with disabilities.

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Resources for Parents

Tutorial
That's Not Me
Tutorials & Workshops
Blog entry
How Social Media Helps Teens Cope With Anxiety, Depression, and Self-Harm
Blog entry

Resources for Teachers

Lesson Plan
Screen Stigma: Looking at mental illness in the news
Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Miscast and Seldom Seen - Lesson
Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
First Person - Lesson
Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Who's Telling My Story?
Lesson Plan

Diversity in Media Toolbox

The Diversity and Media Toolbox is a comprehensive suite of resources that explores issues relating to stereotyping, bias and hate in mainstream media and on the Internet. The program includes professional development tutorials, lesson plans, interactive student modules and background articles.

Learn More