There are many different types of disabilities that can affect a person's abilities relative to societal norms. Physically disabled refers to limitations of physical ability, while mentally disabled refers to limitations of cognitive or intellectual ability. Other types of disabilities include hearing impairment, visual impairment, short-term disabilities, long-term disabilities, and cognitive disabilities. Disabilities exist on a spectrum of ability rather than as simple binary classifications.

1. What is disability and what different types of
disability are there?

2. Definition of disability
Disability is a lack of ability relative to a personal or group
standard or norm. In reality there is often simply a spectrum of
ability. ...
E.g. Physically and mentally disabled, Hearing impaired,
Visually impaired, Short term and long term disability,
cognitive disability…

3. In pairs: How would you represent them
using the micro elements?
Physically disabled:
Mentally disabled:

4. Are these typical representations?
Why?

5. Coming Down The Mountain
BBC TV DRAMA
Choose at least two micro elements
Write detailed notes on both
Be prepared to write at least 2 PEEs for each
David and Ben are two teenage brothers

6. Write a PEE for your chosen micro elements:
Point: Your area of representation
E.g. A typical representation of disability is shown through the
diegetic dialogue of Ben’s character.
Evidence: Your micro element
E.g. In response to David’s comment about feeling down, Ben says ‘I
get that sometimes but then I eat a bag of crisps and watch Star Wars
and then it goes away.’
Explain: Linking the two
E.g. This simplistic language used by Ben implies that he doesn’t
share the complex emotional turmoil of his brother, and therefore
conforms to the stereotypical view of a mentally disabled person being
less intelligent than an able-minded person.

7. SWAP answers
Is there point accurate?
Have they followed the PEE structure?
Have they used lots of media terms?
Have they linked their answer to the area of representation?
Have they written clearly?
Give one mark for each – Will you score 5/5???

8. Myths of Disability
A person with a
disability is sick, or
has something
wrong with them.
People with
disabilities have a
poor quality of
life.
People with
disabilities are
inspirational, brave,
and courageous for
living successfully
with their
disability.
People with disability always need
expensive and high-tech assistive
devices or services.
People with severe
disabilities need to live
in nursing home or
rehabilitation hospitals
or under constant
supervision so that
they do not hurt
themselves.