Representation and Disability

Physical Disability

Different types of disability:

• Physical (paralysed, amputees etc).

• Sensory (vision impairment, hearing loss)

• Intellectual (learning difficulties)

• Mental health/emotional (mental illness, ADHD, autism)

• Developmental (spina bifida)

• Non visible (diabetes, asthma, IBS, epilepsy)

• Those who are limited in how much they can do due to (morbidly obese, cancer, aids, etc).

Physical Ability

• Super heroes

• People with exceptional ability/talent

Questions to ask yourself

• What types of ability/disability is being represented within the drama?

• How are they represented? How are they treated by others? Are they victims? Does everyone have pity on them? Are they treated like everyone else?

• What part do they have within the drama, is it a crucial role?

Questions to ask yourself

• What message are you getting about this specific disability or ability being represented in the clip?

• Is it a positive/negative representation?

• Is it stereotypical?