How is representation of disability constructed in TV drama.

Disabled people are portrayed differently to how any other person would in a TV drama. 
In 1991 Paul Hunt did a study to identify 10 stereotypes that the media use to portray disabled people, these were:

• Pitiable or Pathetic
• An object or curiosity or violence
• Sinister or Violent
• A cripple
• As atmosphere
• Laughable/A joke
• His/Her own enemy
• A burden 
• Non-sexual 
• In- capable 

British TV drama bosses from the main channels on the 11th March 2009 were to take action to ensure more disabled actors are to be cast in their programmes. 

Disabled characters are often to portrayed to be outsiders and incapable to do everyday activities. They are often seen with a carer/helper. By the media portraying disabled people in the stereotypes once discovered in 1991 says that they are continuing to carry on the stereotypes and not show another side of the disability. These stereotypes can be seen as out-dated. Disable people are not actually always used, instead it is a actor just playing the part. 

For example in the TV programme Glee. An able bodied actor Kevin McHale played the part of a boy in a wheelchair. 

In this clip it shows how Artie (Kevin McHale) struggles in his wheelchair and gets support and help from his friends. He's portrayed as needing help, he cant do everything he wants to, linking to the stereotype of incapability. He then begins to dream about walking.The character has been shown as wanting to live his life like everyone else. By dreaming this shows his desperation and how he may see him self as a burden on others. It conveys that a disabled person is seen as having aspirations to walk whereas anyone else would want their dream job or to fall in love etc.This makes the viewer sympathetic towards the character. This is beneficial in order for the audience to try relate to the character and the struggles he faces in his everyday life. This clip is focused on his life and just features other characters. This may be how the directors wanted it to be in order to try and show that disabled people aren't always just 'in the background' or 'outsiders' in the media. 



In this clip a disabled person is looked up to and admired in eye the of others. It goes against the common stereotypes and shows another side to disabled people. The clip conveys them as able to achieve whatever they want. It's showing how they are no different to anyone else and in some ways even better. This helps the viewer as then they can see that not all disabled people are the same.



In this clip disability is used in a humorous way. The disabled person is also with a carer which may suggest shes unable which links to the stereotype of incapability. Will (the person who threw the Frisbee) is very apologetic towards her however if that was anyone else he'd probably just have said sorry and that's it which links to the stereotype of Pitiable.