Disability is not Inability

::Media:

Disability and the Media in the United Kingdom
By Simon Minty (simonminty@compuserve.com)


Good Practice

So what's the solution? Until disabled people become the producers, the commissioning editors, the stars, it is hard to see one. Until production teams have disabled technical professionals as a matter of course, discriminatory practices may remain. Until writers consider including a disabled character in their work because they are an interesting or pivotal character to the story line, irrespective of their disability, we have some way to go. Let's not forget the occasional and welcome examples of good practice.

The British film, 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' has the lead character's brother being deaf and a sign language user. He is central to the plot, not cumbersome or forced, without pity and certainly not depicted in a medical light. Sadly, this example along with several notable others, are only the start in building a bridge to gap the disparity between accurate disability portrayal and the media's industry own out-dated view of disability.

One useful way of bridging this gap is by producing work to showcase disability and the arts. Short films to get producers and commissioning editors to widen their vision have been made. Such wider vision is a crucial element in creating a successful collaboration that both disabled people and broadcasters benefit from. The films illustrate an under-utilised source of talent, a new vein of interest, a wealth of intellect and ideas and the opportunity to represent realistically, a significant number of the audience.

All positives that make the media executives listen. Conversely, if we bang a drum and simply tell them they are doing it wrong, the barriers increase, not diminish and disabled people will end up seeing more well-intentioned but poorly thought out and unrepresentative programming. Creation of ideas and talent are necessary pre-requisites for working in the industry, irrespective of disability.