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Most University courses move away from the AS/A2 topic of gender to look at one or a combination of Representations, Class, Race, Disability or Sexuality.
The word "disabled" causes much debate. The 'dis' suffix is a negative one, implying reversal, and disabled in the dictionary heads a list of many negative words - disappoint, discard, discourage, disintegrate, dismay, disrepute etc etc. That same dictionary defines the word "disabled" as meaning "Made ineffective, unfit or incapable". Quite rightly, those members of the population who find themselves labelled thus feel tarred with a distasteful brush. The word implies that they are unfit for anything, that they are incapable of effectiveness in any field. The iconography surrounding the word suggests a similar plight, hence the European Union symbol:
Here is someone who is not simply "in" a wheelchair (are all disabled people in wheelchairs?), but who relies on the structure of the chair to give them arms. It is small wonder that the word "disabled" immediately connotes wheelchairs.
Given all this is it a surprise that media representation of the disabled is limited and largely stereotypical. if the word "disabled" can be represented in such a simple symbol as the one above, we are reducing a large and diverse group of human beings to something less complicated than your average roadsign.) While great strides have been made in recent decades in the representation of gender and race, there are still many prejudices attached to the representation of disability..
Colin Barnes (1992) has written on this subject and defined the portrayals in mass media of disabled people into ten categories:
- As pitiable and pathetic;
- As an object of violence; As sinister and evil;
- As a curiosity;
- As super cripple;
- As an object of ridicule;
- As their own worst and only enemy;
- As burden;
- As sexually abnormal;
- As incapable of participating fully in community life;
- As normal.
Images of the Disabled
In magazines, the only images of the disabled we tend to see are those in charity advertisements, and their disability is the main focus of the representation. Often we are encouraged to pity the person represented, or give them support in another way. Disability in marketing terms, is not considered sexy, and does not sell products. The use of a Downs Syndrome child model by Benetton was considered revolutionary by some, distasteful by others.
Disabled sport is seen as a very poor relation to its so-called able bodied counterpart. The BBC however gave a great deal of coverage to this years Paralympics.
In film, disability is seen as a great storyline - one to inspire pity in audiences and Oscar nominations from your peers. Think Tom Cruise in Born On The Fourth of July (Best Actor nom, Best Director win), Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind (Best Actor nom, Best Picture win) etc. These actors are applauded for their fine performances, as though the representation of disability were a particularly dangerous and skilful thing. While Tom Cruise is prepared to strap himself into a stunt wheelchair, genuinely disabled actors do not get major parts.
Yet there are exceptions: stand up comedian, actor and model Francesca Martinez suffers from cerebral palsy but sees no reason why she should not follow a career in showbiz. A successful actress, with several seasons of Grange Hill behind her, she has won awards for her comedy.
One of the most popular representations of disability on TV in recent years has been South Park's Timmy, the rebel in a wheelchair. DVDs featuring Timmy-based episodes sell well, as does Timmy merchandise including a doll (featuring a detachable wheelchair).
Other texts worthy of consideration are:
- All about Me (Sitcom)
- Little Britain (Comedy)
Further Reading
- Pointon, Ann with Davies, Chris (eds) (1997) Framed: Interrogating Disability in the Media London: BFI Publishing
- Morris, Jenny (1991) Pride Against Prejudice: Transforming Attitudes to Disability London: the Women's Press Ltd.
- Oliver, Michael (1996) Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice London: Macmillan Press Ltd.
- Ross, Karen (1997) Where's Me In It? Media Culture and Society 1997 Vol 19 pp669-677
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