Representation of Disability

In film and television, you see many different types of characters that suffer from a disability and they can play a range of different roles, however only 2.5% of people that we see on our televisions are disabled. Disability is one of the least shown issues regarding television diversity next to things such as the role of women and age differences. In contrast, all three categories are still very under-represented. There is many differences when it comes to representing disability. For example, during the great war, newsreels were recorded of the rehabilitation of visually impaired and physically disabled servicemen on the front line that have been presented on the big screen.

 However, on the opposite hand, cinema's and film makers have failed to engage with genuine and experiences of individuals with such disabilities. Nevertheless, disability has provided us with the knowledge to positively develop our language and social attitudes towards disability. Many film and television programmes present disability in various different ways, under several stereotypes. They represent disabled individuals as pathetic or pitiable, sinister or evil, a burden, the super cripple, an object of curiosity or violence, an atmosphere, non-sexual, laughable, his or hers own worst enemy and unable to participate in daily life. These stereotypes come from a study, Paul Hunt conducted in 1991. The first disabled character was portrayed by a disabled actor on British television for the first time in 1992, in a BBC Soap. Amputee Donald Gray gained his successful acting career in the 1950's. In the 21st century, TV drama has made room for bold portraits of disabilities as diverse as motor neuron disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder and multiple personality conditions. But with most parts still played by able-bodied actors, disabled actors and film-makers continue to fight to tell their own stories.

 Unlimited features work made for and by people with disabilities to ensure that diversity is maintained throughout the film and television industry. For example, young actor Grace plays Janet Mitchell in EastEnders as Billy and Honey Mitchell daughter and she has down's syndrome. Janet's character is represented and causes different emotions between her parents. Honey cannot come to terms with her condition and finds it very difficult to cope with her down's syndrome making her as a stereotypical 'burden' to her mother. However, Billy loves his daughter and wants to care for her and is also very protective over her due to her condition. This destroys the stereotype of an individual suffering with a disability.

     - Janet Mitchell