Research

=Research Articles=

The media has a huge influence on the world, and on how people perceive the world. While using the media to help educate people on those with disabilities, it can also be very damaging if it portrays certain disabilities in a poor or stereotypical manner. The following articles take a look at how the media affects people's understanding of those with disabilities.

Barnes, C. (1992) //Disabling imagery and the media : an exploration of the principles for media representation of disabled people//, Halifax, BCODP and Ryburn Retrieved April 30, 2011 from [|Media-Diversity] www.media-diversity.org/en/additional-files/documents/Z%20Current%20MDI%20Resources/Disabling%20Imagery%20and%20the%20Media%20%5BEN%5D.pdf

This article by Barnes discusses a study conducted with the support from the British Council of Organizations of Disabled People. The study was on the stereotypical portrayal of the British media on people with disabilities. He also provided recommendations on how to prevent such misrepresentations in the future. The study shows a great deal of concern in how charities represent those with disabilities, but also examines the media. This includes books, films, and television. The study found that most of the information that the media portrayed of those with disabilities to be extremely negative. //This article is relevant to understanding disabilities because it shows how damaging such portrayals of those with disabilities can be, even in situations where people are trying to help those with disabilities.//

Dyches, T.T., Prater, M.A., & Jenson, J. (2006). Portrayal of disabilities in Caldecott books. //TEACHING Exceptional Children Plus// Online, 2(5), Article 2. Retrieved April 5, 2011 from [|E-Scholarship] escholarship.bc.edu/education/tecplus/vol2/iss5/art2

Dyches, Prater, and Jenson read every book that received Caldecott Medal and Honor status from 1938 to 2005. They found that 11 of the books that received the award included characters with a disability. It was also noted that the portrayal of disabilities in these children's books were largely inaccurate. The books were then analyzed in order to generate tips for how these books can be used in the classroom to teach others about people with disabilities. The authors also point out which books on the list that should be avoided when teaching others about disabilities as well as books that give the wrong impression about disabilities. They end with stating that more books with accurate portrayals of those with disabilities are needed on the list. //This article is relevant to understanding disabilities because it gives both teachers and parents suggestions for how children's stories can help teach their kids to better understand those disabilities being described as well as how to teach them about the various stereotypes about disabilities. It seems to emphasize that it is important for children to learn this information, and how more children's books on the subject of people with disabilities are needed.//

Maples, J., Arndt, K., & White, J.M. (2010). Re-seeing 'The Mighty': critically examining one film's representations of disability in the English classroom. //English Journal,// 100(2) 77-86. Retrieved April 5, 2011 from [|Expanded Academic ASAP] www.ncte.org.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/library/NCTEFiles/Resources/Journals/EJ/1002-nov2010/EJ1002Reseeing.pdf

Maples, Arndt, and White research on how 'The Mighty' might look like when used in active reading at an English language arts class where it is presented. The film adaptation is important since it positively portrays friendship between disabled and non-disabled characters. However, the film offers limited and damaging representations of disability that might spread prevailing stereotypes of disability. The conclusion the authors draw is that, when presented properly, films such as this one can help both teachers and students better understand both the stereotypes, as well as the complexities, of people with disabilities. //This article is a relevant example of how one can use film in the classroom to better inform their students on disabilities. It also points out how to make sure that the students do not misinterpret the truth about the disability by talking about how damaging certain stereotypes and exaggerations in the film can damage people's perception of the disability.//

Prater, M. & Dyches, T. (2008). The name assigned to the document by the author. This field may also contain sub-titles, series names, and report numbers. Books that Portray Characters with Disabilities: A Top 25 List for Children and Young Adults. // The entity from which ERIC acquires the content, including journal, organization, and conference names, or by means of online submission from the author. // //TEACHING Exceptional Children//, 40(4), 32-38. Retrieved April 29, 2011 from [|Parent Mentors] www.parentmentors.org/Documents/Terri/2010-Tips%20Books%20that%20portray%20characters%20with%20disabilities.pdf Prater and Dyches read and research numerous books that portray people with disabilities in juvenile literature. This article takes a look at the top 25 books chosen by Prater and Dyches that portray those with disabilities. The purpose of creating this list was to help readers, and instructors, make an informed decision when choosing a book that depicts people with disabilities. //This article is relevant to understanding disabilities because it gives a wonderful list of books for teaching others about those with disabilities. It can be difficult to find the appropriate material to teach students about disabilities. This article provides an excellent list for those who are looking for resources on people with disabilities.//

Schwartz, D., Blue, E. , McDonald, M. , Giuliani, G. , Weber, G. , Seirup, H., Rose, S., Elkis-Albuhoff, D. , Rosenfeld, J. and Perkins, A. (2010). Dispelling stereotypes: promoting disability equality through film. //Disability & Society//, 25(7), 841-848. Retrieved April 5, 2011 from //Academic Search Premier//, [|EBSCO//host] dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2010.520898

The numerous authors of this research wanted to provide an authentic presentation of people with disabilities through film. A film festival was held with the purpose of showing the authentic presentation of those with disabilities to the audience. Following the viewing of each film there were in-depth discussions about the films. The results of this research seem to indicate that a positive attitude towards people with disabilities can be stimulated through the use of film. //This article is relevant to understanding disabilities because it shows how people can use the media to better inform people on disabilities and how these people with disabilities are capable of living in society with others.//

Sewell, E. H. (2008). Disability and the Media. //Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media//, 52(3), 506-507. Retrieved April 5, 2011 from [|Expanded Academic ASAP] find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T007&prodId=EAIM&docId=A185385936&source=gale&srcprod=EAIM&userGroupName=usclibs&version=1.0 Here is the in case the link does not work.

Sewell reviews a book that describes the book //Disability// //and the media: Prescriptions for change// by C.R. Riley and Sewell describes why this book is effective at describing how disabilities are covered in the media. A brief synopsis of the chapters is given, and the review concludes with the author stating why he believes people should read this book. //This relates to understanding disabilities because not only does it give support and reasons as to why this book is effective is describing media portrayals of disabilities, it makes people aware of the books existence. Sometimes the best way to help people understand disabilities is to present them with resources that will help them understand.//

Shepherd, T.L. (2007). Infinite diversity in infinite combinations: Portraits of individuals with disabilities in Star Trek. //TEACHING Exceptional Children Plus,// 3(6) Article 1. Retrieved April 29, 2011from [|EScholarship] escholarship.bc.edu/education/tecplus/vol3/iss6/art1

Shepherd studied the television series Star Trek because the series has portrayed various people with disabilities over the last forty years. Because television has such as strong influence on society, Shepherd believed that certain series can provide a unique perspective on society's view of people with disabilities and how this can influence how teachers and students view those with disabilities in the classroom. The study includes select episodes from the Start Trek series and implications for the teachers in special education for using Star Trek for instructional purposes are discussed as well. The study found that this form of video therapy can be affective in the classroom, especially for students who are deficient in reading or language. The reason for this is because the series Star Trek presents several affective disability issues that teachers in special education might wish to discuss with their students. //This article is relevant to understanding disabilities because it shows how one can use a TV show to better inform people on understanding those with disabilities.//

Soffer, M., Rimmerman, A. , Blanck, P., and Hill, E. (2010). Media and the Israeli disability rights legislation: progress or mixed and contradictory images? //Disability & Society//, 25(6), 687-699. Retrieved April 8, 2011 from [|Informaworld] dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2010.505740

In this article Soffer, Rimmerman, Banck, and Hill review and analyze disability rights and policy as reflected in the Israeli media since the enactment of the Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law of 1998. The purpose of this was to see how large a role the media plays in shaping the society's view of people who are disabled. It was found that those with disabilities were portrayed in the Israeli media as those who should be pitied, heroes of the community, or as dangers to society. The results from the study indicated that the Israeli media is far behind the many current studies and achievements in understanding those with disabilities. // This article is relevant to understanding diversity because it shows how damaging the media can be in portraying those with disabilities. The Israeli media seems to portray the disabled as simply pitiable individuals or simply lacking the willpower to overcome their disabilities, becoming violent in some cases. Portrayals of the disabled such as this can be very damaging in one's attempt to help people better understand those with disabilities. //

Thornicroft, G., Rose, D. Kassam, A. & Sartorius, N. (Mar 2007). Stigma: ignorance, prejudice or discrimination? //The British Journal of Psychiatry//, 190, 192 - 193. Retrieved April 5, 2011 from [|BJPsych] bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/190/3/192

The authors of this article focus on stigma, which is the disapproval or ignorance of those with disabilities. The article continues to talk about stigma and the limited research on the subject. It concludes with discussing how the research should continue as well as how people who are disabled, such as those with a mental illness, can benefit. The results from the research seemed to indicate that interventions to improve public knowledge about mental illness can be effective. //This article is relevant to understanding diversity because it shows the consequences of what happens when perceptions of disabilities created by biased surveys and negative media presentations can affect people's judgment.//