Media Representations of Disability

Question 1

what did the sociologist Tom Shakespeare say about disability in society and what does this mean?

Answer 1

‘disability is a social construct.’
=society has created the term ‘disability’ (implying unable) and therefore decides what is ‘normal’ and what is ‘abnormal’

Question 2

what are the 4 things that Sancho found in his content analysis of disabilities in the media?

Answer 2

-significant lack of disabled people on current affairs and tv quizzes
-they make up 0.8% of overall tv population
-wheelchairs have become a symbol for disability
-3x more likely to die in films than ‘able bodied’

Question 3

what is tokenism of disability in the media?

Answer 3

the idea that disability is the defining identity of the character

Question 4

what are the 4 ways that disabled people are represented in the media according to Barnes?

Answer 4

-sinister/evil/monsters
-atmospheric/curio
-as pitiable/pathetic
-super cripples

Question 5

overall, how many recurring representations of disability were found in the media by Barnes (1992)?

Answer 5

11

Question 6

explain the sinister/evil/monsters representations?

Answer 6

-they are used to create unease, menace and horror
-hidden away due to ‘fear’

Question 7

what is the impact of the sinister/evil/monsters representation?

Answer 7

research by Changing Faces in 2020 found that
-7/10 people with a disfigurement experienced hostile behaviour
-1/4 reported being victims of a hate crime

Question 8

explain the atmospheric/curio representation?

Answer 8

included in drama to enhance the atmosphere/suspense
-watched in fascination/awe for entertainment
-eg= ‘turtle boy’, conjoined twins, extra limbs

Question 9

explain the pitiable/pathetic representation?

Answer 9

-appear on telethons as ‘victims’ and treat them like charity cases

Question 10

what is the impact of the pitiable/pathetic representation?

Answer 10

certain messages sent to the audience, such as making the audience feel sorry/guilty, and that the ‘able bodied’ people have and need to help those with disabilities

Question 11

explain the super cripples representation?

Answer 11

-triumphs disability and become an inspiration to us all
-they are often portrayed as having super powers
-finding a magical cure for their disability
-overcome in the face of advertisity (bullying)
-eg= Forrest Gump

Question 12

what is the argument against the representations of disabilities according to Barnes?

Answer 12

they are all unrealistic
-eg= The Theory of Everything (a film about the most famous limit-defying disabled person in the world), but this was directed and adapted by a able-bodied person, with able-bodied actors

Question 13

what did sociologist Ross say about disability in the media?

Answer 13

Disability only becomes newsworthy if the disabled people are doing extraordinary things

Question 14

what is an example that supports Ross?

Answer 14

the paraolympics
-‘meet the superhumans.’
-‘making a horse dance isn’t easy, without legs it’s almost impossible.’

Question 15

what did Scope say about disabled people?

Answer 15

‘Unfortunately, disabled people are generally invisible in the media and wider society.’

Question 16

what is the analysis of what Scope said?

Answer 16

SYMBOLIC ANNIHILATION

Question 17

what are the 5 words that Scope said were the most used words when reporting on disabled people?

Answer 17

-sufferer
-scrounger
-skiver
-cheat
-undeserving

Question 18

what is another analysis of what Scope said?

Answer 18

causes a moral panic
-eg= ‘75% of incapacity claimants are fit to work.’

Question 19

what percentage of individuals in the UK have been diagnosed with a disability compared to those working in the media?

Answer 19

UK= 19%
MEDIA= 2.8% of media professionals

Question 20

what could be said about the under-representation of disabled people in media professionals?

Answer 20

-distorted portrayals
-media is created by able-bodied individuals, so disability is often seen through a ‘able-bodied’ lens
-how accurate are these portrayals?

Question 21

what are some pieces of evaluation points of a march of progress?

Answer 21

-more awareness
-new media has lead to disabled creators, participatory culture
-disabled presenters and hosts
-increase in representation in adverts
-cartoons include disabled characters on children’s tv

Question 22

what are 4 examples that support the march of progress?

Answer 22

-BBC wanted a disabled weather presenter
-ASOS, disabled models in a normal setting
-The Undateables, made them more visible in the media but a negative stereotype of being ‘undateable.’
-Cerrie Burnell Cbeebies presenter

Question 23

what was said by parents about the Cbeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell?

Answer 23

-‘kids might be scared’
-‘didn’t let children watch Bedtime Hour because know it would have played on daughter and caused nightmares.’

Question 24

what did Sutherland say that can be used as a conclusion? (full quote)

Answer 24

‘the very fact that previous representations of disability have been narrow, confused and unimaginative, leaves the way open for disabled writers and film makers. What we can produce can blow the pat away.’