How bad media representation of disability fuels stereotypes and excludes disabled voices
MMS Staff
6 Jul 2024
4-min read
That ableism - a term whose literal meaning is discrimination against people with disabilities - is deeply embedded in our society is no unknown fact.
But when it rears its ugly head through mass media, and in the form of magazine covers no less, ableist attitudes are further perpetuated, making life even more difficult for those with disabilities and illnesses.
Over the years, many magazines have carried brazenly ableist covers, enraging and prompting pushback by disability activists.
This article is a collection of instances when our media has been supremely (and shamelessly) ableist.
Instances of ableist magazine and newspaper covers through history
Time Magazine (2003):
Time Magazine ran a cover titled “Overcoming Dyslexia,” spreading gross misinformation about learning disabilities.
The term “overcoming” implies that dyslexia is something to be conquered, rather than a difference to be understood and accommodated.
This is especially wrong considering affirming language is crucial in shaping perceptions and attitudes towards disabilities and neurodivergent conditions.
Interview Magazine (2015):
In 2015, supermodel-entrepreneur Kylie Jenner was criticised for a photoshoot in Interview Magazine where she posed in a wheelchair.
Disabled individuals and advocates found this use of a wheelchair as a fashion prop deeply offensive.
Beth Grossman, Head of Policy at the disability charity Scope, remarked, “Having a non-disabled person in a wheelchair, as a provocative fashion prop, will offend many disabled people. It’s rare that we see aspirational and authentic reflections of disabled people in advertising and the media.”
The Economist (2016):
The Economist's April 2016 cover titled “Beautiful Minds, Wasted” was another egregious instance of blatant ableism perpetuated by mass media.
Not only did the headline suggest autistic minds are wasted, the inappropriate puzzle piece depiction insinuated that autistic people are 'broken', need 'fixing', or complex beings who can't be 'figured out'.
Patronising autistic people by using the ableist phrase "Beautiful Minds, Wasted" shows how even big, global publications don't make the effort to understand autism from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.
The failure to consult with autistic people and include their perspectives in the story was a significant oversight.
The New Yorker (2023):
The New Yorker stirred controversy with a cover featuring US political leaders using walkers.
The cartoon depicted Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden as frail and elderly, using mobility aids they do not actually need.
This portrayal was criticised for its ageist and ableist implications, suggesting that age and the use of mobility aids diminish one’s capabilities.
The Economist (2024):
And the Economist, astonishingly, did it once again with their July 4 cover attacking President Joe Biden, depicting him as a “befuddled old man” using a zimmer frame branded with the presidential seal.
This imagery sparked widespread outrage for its ableist undertones, suggesting that mobility aid use equates to unfitness for leadership.
Catarina Rivera, a prominent disability advocate, expressed her dismay on LinkedIn: “This week's The Economist cover is ableist, disgraceful, and deeply offensive. It suggests that someone who uses a walker as a mobility aid is unfit to run the country. Disabled people are very capable of leadership — period (not 'despite' our disabilities, just exactly as we are). Using a mobility aid isn't something that's shameful or that makes someone unfit for leadership.”
Heather Thompson, another advocate, shared her personal struggle with internalised ableism: “I used to hate my walker; I struggled with my own internalised ableism every time I needed to use the walker in public. What would people think? Your magazine cover validates my fears by normalising these false beliefs. A walker does not represent decline, nor is it synonymous with intellectual weakness.”
Julia M, an able-bodied elder, condemned the cover for its harmful implications: “This is the most insulting, discriminatory, ableist cover for a major publication that I can remember. As an able-bodied elder, I condemn this harmful, ageist, and slanderous artwork. This is trash.”
These voices highlight the broader impact of such representations, which extend beyond the individual to affect the entire disabled community.
The harm of ableist depictions
Ableist depictions in the media do undeniable harm.
Ableist behaviours, notions and attitudes encourage stereotypes, reinforce bias, and marginalise disabled individuals.
When disability is used as an insult or a symbol of incompetence, it results in a culture of exclusion and discrimination.
Ableist representations of disability and neurodivergence also contribute to internalised ableism among individuals with these lived experiences, resulting in shame and self-stigma due to negative societal attitudes.
Disability advocates emphasise the importance of accurate, respectful representations in the media.
As Catarina Rivera pointed out, “Let's not forget that FDR (Franklin D Roosevelt) was a disabled president and a wheelchair user. The impact of this cover extends beyond The Economist itself.”
Ongoing instances of ableist behaviours in various institutions and the media highlights the need for continuous advocacy and education.
As Heather Thompson said, “Some of the greatest courage I’ve witnessed has come from those stepping into a walker and taking their fierce first steps.”
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