Disability portrayal in movies: Barriers or enablers for social participation?

Films are more than entertainment. Movies can inform or confuse, influencing public attitudes and expectations for better or worse. Research shows that media messages can have strong effects on public perceptions. People with disabilities are often presented in negative, restricted ways- as pitiful, needy, and generally unattractive, or occasionally as heroes who surmount all odds. More realistic, positive portrayals could promote respect, understanding, and awareness of the need for social change. Exploration of ‘disability portrayals' in film and other media can enhance awareness to promote dialogue that could set the stage for inclusive community and social participation. This session will present college and graduate courses/ modules that were designed to help students develop critical perspectives and more realistic understanding of disability in popular films. Multiple academic perspectives (including American culture studies, literature, public health, and social sciences) guided class content and discussions. Concepts and techniques of these educational programs will be presented, with a goal of shifting from a deficit model to a social model of disability. Student feedback emphasized that they learned to examine messages more critically, looked beyond symptoms or conditions, and formulated strategies for advocacy and social change. A particularly compelling realization for many students was that restrictive attitudes, rather than individual difference, present the major barriers for participation and quality of life. Innovative final projects done by students will also be discussed.