Disability in the Media
- Different Abilities Team
- Feb 8, 2021
- 3 min read
Are you looking for some new movies or TV shows to watch? Check out these movies and TV shows that feature individuals with disabilities! For more information check out the sources section at the end of this post.
The following post contains the positive and negative aspects about disability representation in the media. We wanted to create a bias-free resource for you to interpret!
Forrest Gump: Lieutenant Dan
- Lieutenant Dan was in charge of Forrest Gump's regiment in the Vietnam War and sustained injuries that led to the loss of both his legs
- For a period of time he was angry and depressed
- As the movie progresses he reunites with Forrest and they decide to work on shrimping a boat together
- He decides to make a change in his life and refuses to feel sorry for himself any longer
- The film shows Lieutenant Dan's journey towards accepting his disability and pursuing a fulfilling life for himself.
The Good Doctor: Dr. Shaun Murphy
- Dr. Shaun Murphy is an up-and-coming surgeon with autism and savant syndrome
- The show received criticism as there is no "one size fits all" in attempting to define the characters on the spectrum
- The show does a good job at showing several characteristics that can accompany an autism diagnosis (e.g. social awkwardness)
- The majority of individuals with disabilities are unemployed.
- Hence, the show normalizes someone with a disability in a high calibre occupation
Glee: Artie
- Artie is a high school glee club member and a paraplegic
- Artie is played by an able-bodied actor, despite many disabled actors having auditioned
- The actor was unable to properly portray a person with a physical disability due to his own inabilities
- Artie never stops wishing that he could walk, but wheelchair users don't always dream of being free from their wheelchair, it's their wheelchair that gives them freedom
- Artie does not stand up to the mistreatment he faces, promoting the message that it is okay
- Artie's wheelchair is regularly pushed by others. Typically, a paraplegic has complete control over their wheelchair and would maneuver it themselves
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Quasimodo
- Quasimodo is deaf and has scoliosis
- This film addresses the need for tolerance towards people with disabilities
- In the opening scenes, he is mocked by the people and is further exploited being called a "freak." Hence, receiving negative reactions from disability advocacy group, that believe this is another garish portrayal of people with disabilities
- Quasimodo can be seen as a role model for people wishing to triumph over societal barriers
- He gains self-confidence and motivation to take risks and overcome obstacles
- The film results in his acceptance for who he is, by people in the outside world
Switched at Birth: Daphne
- Daphne is deaf and often explains to her birth parents why she doesn't want cochlear implants. This emphasizes the fact many individuals do not want to "cure" their physical disability
- In one episode, young deaf students protest to keep their school open. It is inspirational to see students standing up for the importance of disabled spaces
- The episode is done exclusively in sign language with no auditory lines. It is rare to see American Sign Language as the primary language on any source of media
- This character gives young people with disabilities the experience of seeing other high schoolers with disabilities having normal teen experiences
Atypical: Sam
- Sam is a teenage boy with autism
- Season 1 received backlash for excluding autistic individuals from the production team
- In seasons 2 and 3, the audience is introduced for young adults on the spectrum, all portrayed by actors with autism
- This supports one of the fundamental pillars of the modern disability rights movement, "nothing about us without us"
- Sam goes to college and is introduced to the wide variety of disability services (e.g. lecture notes provided in alternate formats)
- It is important that individuals with disabilities are aware of the support available to them
Sources:
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