AS Lesson 12 - Disability

To understand how

disabilities are represented in the

media

Learning Objective:

List…

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

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…

Can you think of any recent programs or films you have watched that contain any disabled

characters?

How were they represented?

Pitiable and pathetic; sweet and innocent; a miracle cure

The Elephant Man

Usual

Stereotypes:

Victim or an object of violence

Whatever happened to Baby Jane?

Sinister or evil

Dr Strangelove

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

'Super-crip'/ triumph over tragedy/noble warrior

Daredevil

Laughable or the butt of jokes

Having a chip on their shoulder/ aggressive avenger

A burden/ outcast

Mask

Born on the Fourth of July

Non-sexual or incapable of a worthwhile relationship

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

In pairs: How would you represent them using the micro elements?

• Physically disabled:

• Mentally disabled:

Are these typical representations? Why?

Are these typical representations? Why?

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

• 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…

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???