This document discusses the representation of disabilities in TV and film. It begins by outlining the objectives to understand stereotypes in media and develop skills in textual analysis. It then asks the reader to consider examples of disabled characters and how they are portrayed. Several common stereotypes are listed, such as being pitiable, a victim of violence, sinister or evil, a curiosity, a "super-crip" who overcomes adversity, or vengeful. The document also notes that disabilities are often underrepresented or misrepresented in media by focusing only on impairments rather than showing disabled people as fully participating members of society. It concludes by asking how the four codes of film (cinematography, mise-en-scene,

1. REPRESENTATION
Disability in TV Drama

2. LO
◦To understand how disabilities are
represented in the media
◦To explore mediation of stereotypes
◦To develop textual analysis skills
and use of media terminology

3. List
◦Mind map all the different types of
disabilities that you can think of

4. DefinitionofDisability
◦a physical or mental condition that limits a
person's movements, senses, or activities.
◦e.g: Physically and mentally disabled, Hearing
impaired, Visually impaired, Short term and long
term disability, cognitive disability…

5. ContemporaryExamples
◦Can you think of any recent programs or films you have
watched that contain any disabled characters?
◦How were they represented?
◦- Physical appearance is a predominant signifier or
disability i.e. downs syndrome
◦ OR IS IT…?

6. CityLights(1931)

7. UsualStereotypes
◦Pitiable and
pathetic; sweet
and innocent; a
miracle cure
The Elephant Man

8. UsualStereotypes
◦Victim; or an
object of violence
◦Verbal
◦Physical
Whatever happened to Baby Jane?

9. UsualStereotypes
◦Sinister; or evil
Dr Strangelove

10. UsualStereotypes
Atmosphere or
curio
e.g.: 'freak shows',
and in comics,
horror movies and
science fiction

11. UsualStereotypes
'Super-Crip'/
triumph over
tragedy/noble
warrior

12. UsualStereotypes
Vengeful:
Having a chip on
their shoulder/
aggressive
avenger

13. UsualStereotypes
A burden:
Outcast
Mask

14. UsualStereotypes
Non-sexual or
incapable of a
worthwhile
relationship

15. Under-&Mis-Representation
ofDisability ◦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
Often shown as
incapable of fully
participating in everyday
life

16. The4Codes◦How would you
represent them?
◦Physically Disabled
◦Mentally Disabled
• Cinematography
• Mise-en-Scéne
• Editing
• Sound

17. TextualAnalysis

18. TextualAnalysis