Media Representation of Disabilities

  The media coverage of sports involving athletes with disabilities is severely underrepresented and under appreciated by the population. Most of the time, media coverage of people with disabilities cast a negative light on their character or situations. The media should do a better job at portraying disabled people in a light that is both positive and inclusive to further increase appreciation of all types of athletes. 


In order to increase the presence of disabilities in the media and in sports, the media must do tons of work to break down existing stereotypes and rebuild positive views of disabled persons. 

The media often portrays athletes and people with disabilities as "helpless" or as a "hero". The media creates a message that those with disabilities lie somewhere on this spectrum and can sometimes be inaccurately represented. By providing viewers with more background, or sharing the stories of those with disabilities in the media, they can then create their own story the way they want to be seen. 

The media should also work to create a space where disabled persons or athletes can be televised as normal programming. Often, sports networks are reserved for able-bodied sports competitions and impaired athletes are televised on smaller networks with less viewers. In order to increase awareness and views, the media should provide a platform for disabled sports to be viewed just as any other sports program. 


In 2021, NBC televised the Paralympics on its main channel, something that has never been done before. This gave the public the chance to see and cheer for athletes and really connect with their stories. 

By sharing the stories of disabled athletes, the viewers begin to understand the barriers that they have overcome and see them as strong individuals rather than "helpless". By showcasing the achievements and journeys of disabled athletes, the stereotypes can be rewritten in a narrative that is uplifting and representative of their strong characters. 

The media should also do a better job at creating a space that is inclusive for disabled and able-bodied people alike. On popular TV shows or in movies we rarely get to witness an actor with a physical impairment. When it does happen, it is often an able-bodied person portraying a disabled person. This father's existing stereotypes that those with an impairment are less capable than an able-bodied person.

By creating more representation, the media can break down the attitude and stereotypes surrounding disabled athletes, actors, musicians, and normal people. 



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