Media Representations of Disability Flashcards
what did the sociologist Tom Shakespeare say about disability in society and what does this mean?
‘disability is a social construct.’
=society has created the term ‘disability’ (implying unable) and therefore decides what is ‘normal’ and what is ‘abnormal’
what are the 4 things that Sancho found in his content analysis of disabilities in the media?
-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’
what is tokenism of disability in the media?
the idea that disability is the defining identity of the character
what are the 4 ways that disabled people are represented in the media according to Barnes?
-sinister/evil/monsters
-atmospheric/curio
-as pitiable/pathetic
-super cripples
overall, how many recurring representations of disability were found in the media by Barnes (1992)?
11
explain the sinister/evil/monsters representations?
-they are used to create unease, menace and horror
-hidden away due to ‘fear’
what is the impact of the sinister/evil/monsters representation?
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
explain the atmospheric/curio representation?
included in drama to enhance the atmosphere/suspense
-watched in fascination/awe for entertainment
-eg= ‘turtle boy’, conjoined twins, extra limbs
explain the pitiable/pathetic representation?
-appear on telethons as ‘victims’ and treat them like charity cases
what is the impact of the pitiable/pathetic representation?
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
explain the super cripples representation?
-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
what is the argument against the representations of disabilities according to Barnes?
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
what did sociologist Ross say about disability in the media?
Disability only becomes newsworthy if the disabled people are doing extraordinary things
what is an example that supports Ross?
the paraolympics
-‘meet the superhumans.’
-‘making a horse dance isn’t easy, without legs it’s almost impossible.’
what did Scope say about disabled people?
‘Unfortunately, disabled people are generally invisible in the media and wider society.’
what is the analysis of what Scope said?
SYMBOLIC ANNIHILATION
what are the 5 words that Scope said were the most used words when reporting on disabled people?
-sufferer
-scrounger
-skiver
-cheat
-undeserving
what is another analysis of what Scope said?
causes a moral panic
-eg= ‘75% of incapacity claimants are fit to work.’
what percentage of individuals in the UK have been diagnosed with a disability compared to those working in the media?
UK= 19%
MEDIA= 2.8% of media professionals
what could be said about the under-representation of disabled people in media professionals?
-distorted portrayals
-media is created by able-bodied individuals, so disability is often seen through a ‘able-bodied’ lens
-how accurate are these portrayals?
what are some pieces of evaluation points of a march of progress?
-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
what are 4 examples that support the march of progress?
-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
what was said by parents about the Cbeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell?
-‘kids might be scared’
-‘didn’t let children watch Bedtime Hour because know it would have played on daughter and caused nightmares.’
what did Sutherland say that can be used as a conclusion? (full quote)
‘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.’
