To understand how disabilities are represented in the media

To explore mediation of those stereotypes

Learning Objective:

List…

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

Definition of disability• 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…

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

characters?

How were they represented?

Make a note of the usual stereotypes on the following

slides• For homework (Due 18th November) you

need to identify your own examples of the usual disabled stereotypes and explain why they fit that category.

• On Powerpoint or Word doc (images needed for each character and program or film name need to be included)

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 or curioe.g: 'freak shows', and in comics, horror movies and science fiction

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

Daredevil

Laughable or the butt of jokes

Vengeful: 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

Often shown as 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

Under- and mis-representation of disability

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

• Physically disabled:

• Mentally disabled:

Are these typical representations? Why?

What stereotype do these characters reinforce?

Are these typical representations? Why?

Do these representations show any stereotypes? If so, how?

Coming Down the MountainWatch the opening 2 minutes of

the film

• How is disability represented?

• Identify two micro elements of the mediation process

• Write detailed notes on both• Write at least 2 PEEs for each. • Try to explain what disability

stereotype is portrayed in these first 2 minutes

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???