Oliver Martin-Hays
writer & content creator
Why Read into film representation?
Media representation can be formative for many. Characters that look like you can offer a blueprint on how a man or woman is supposed to act.
The problem with media representation is often its stereotyping of characters.
If you do not fit the norms of sexuality, gender or race you are treated as an anomaly.
Inspirational characters are not representing reality.
The disability community is very diverse, including physically visible and non-visible disabilities. This blog does film analysis of disability representation. My perspective as a visible disabled man with cerebral palsy is just one perspective.
Featured Articles
In-depth analysis of representation of disability in the media.
I have short-term memory loss, but I'm not a child.
“Don’t be such a Dory, Dory” she thinks of short-term memory loss as a flaw. Nemo grew up with his disability being called lucky. He isn’t flawed to her.
Halloween is, the holiday to pretend. But finding a disabled character Halloween costume is difficult. I question if it’s honest to portray another disability.
Avatar (2009) ends with Jake transferring his consciousness to his Avatar body, ultimately erasing disability in this society and planet.