2. What is disability?
a
physical or mental condition that limits a
person's movements, senses, or activities.
Examples of disability
Cystic Fibrosis
3. How is disability represented in the
media?
Disability can be presented as either a good thing or a bad thing.
Some examples of it being presented in a negative way include:
In X- Men, one of the main characters, Professor X is in a wheelchair, but
he is still one of the main powerful characters, and his disability does
not stop him much, but at one point where he has fallen out of the
chair, he is unable to get up.
As well as this, in the TV drama, Pretty Little Liars, one of the main
characters, Jenna, got blinded by being stuck in a shed when some
fireworks went off, and because of this disability, she is unable to do
some of the things she could before the accident.
Disability can be both an advantage and disadvantage to characters.
4. Paul Hunt
In his 1991 study, Paul Hunt identified 10 stereotypes
that the media use to portray disabled people:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The disabled person as pitiable or pathetic
An object of curiosity or violence
Sinister or evil
The super cripple
As atmosphere
Laughable
His/her own worst enemy
As a burden
As Non-sexual
Being unable to participate in daily life
