This document discusses representations of disabilities in media. It begins with asking the reader to consider different types of disabilities and define disability. It then asks the reader to think of recent media that includes disabled characters and how they are portrayed. Common stereotypical portrayals of disabled characters as pitiable, victims, sinister, objects of curiosity, triumphant heroes, laughable, aggressive avengers, burdens, non-sexual, or incapable of everyday life are listed. The document encourages thinking about how to represent disabilities using "micro elements" and analyzing a video clip using a Point-Evidence-Explain structure to discuss representation of disabilities in media.

1. ive:
ject
Ob
ing
a rn
Le
T
o un
disa derst
and
bilit
rep
how
ies
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ent are
ed i
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em
ed
ia

2. List…
• Mindmap or list all the different types
of disabilities you can think of.

3. 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…

4. Can you think of any recent
programs or films you have
watched that contain any
disabled characters?
How were they represented?

5. e re
l St
sua
U
es :
typ
o
Pitiable and
pathetic; sweet
and innocent; a
miracle cure
The Elephant Man

6. Victim or an
object of
violence
Whatever happened to Baby Jane?

7. Sinister or evil
Dr Strangelove

8. Atmosphere - curios
or exotica in 'freak
shows', and in
comics, horror
movies and science
fiction

9. 'Super-crip'/
triumph over
tragedy/noble
warrior
Daredevil

10. Laughable or the butt of
jokes

11. Having a chip on
their shoulder/
aggressive
avenger

12. A burden/ outcast
Mask

13. Non-sexual or incapable
of a worthwhile
relationship
Born on the Fourth of July

14. Incapable of fully
participating in everyday
life
The absence of disabled people from
everyday situations, and not being
shown as integral and productive
members of society. When they are
shown, the focus is on their
impairments

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

16. Are these typical representations?
Why?

17. Are these typical representations?
Why?

18. Watch the following clip
• Choose at least two micro elements
• Write detailed notes on both
• Be prepared to write at least 2 PEEs for
each

19. • Write a PEE for your chosen micro elements:
• Point: Your area of representation
• E.g. A typical representation of disability is shown
as….
• Evidence: Your micro element
• E.g. This is seen when….
• Explain: Linking the two
• E.g. This demonstrates stereotypical representation
of disabilities because…
• This is/is not a true representation of disability
because…

20. SWAP answers
Is their 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???