Since the inception of streaming channels such as Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Amazon Video films have become more accessible to people. With accessibility comes the possibility that society can be influenced in their attitudes and thinking concerning different issues which include people with disabilities. People who have had little or no contact with disabled people might only have films as their source of information (Black, Pretes, 2007). The main focus of films is to entertain but they can “simultaneously provide viewers with information about disabilities and through the filmmaker’s lens, they project representations of how individuals fit into a nation’s social and political landscape” (Safran, 2001, p. 223). Many of the portrayals seen in films are not accurate. Unfortunately, these portrayals have a lasting effect on how the general public views the disabled as well as how the disabled view themselves.
There are seven major stereotypes that are used in films that have a character with a disability. They are: “(a) pitiable and pathetic; (b) supercrip; (c) sinister, evil and criminal; (d) better-off dead; (e) maladjusted-own worst enemy; (f) burden to family/society; and (g) unable to live a successful life” (Black, & Pretes, 2007, p. 66). Each of these portrayals can lead to people developing a prejudice against people with disabilities.
The first stereotype, pitiable, and pathetic shows the disabled character as incompetent. They must be cared for by nondisabled people. Many times they are considered childlike. This type of portrayal can lead the general public to see the disabled as people who need sympathy and charity (Black, & Pretes, 2007). Since they are unable to care for themselves it is the responsibility of nondisabled people to care for them, to feel sorry for them, and to do things to help the disabled. Dicken’s A Christmas Carol includes the character of Tiny Tim. This character is used to elicit sympathy not only from the characters in the film but also from the audience. As the movie comes to a close Scrooge shows his sympathy for Tiny Tim and also accepts the responsibility of taking care of the little boy by promising to pay for his medical care (Mankiewicz & Marin, 1938). Disabled characters are seen as “dependent on others but they are rarely depicted as strong and independent heroes” (Schaefer, 2014, p. 1). Many disabled people are more than capable of taking care of themselves. This is the portrayal that should be included in the films so everyone can see that the disabled are not pitiful characters that need to take care of or to be the recipients of charity from others.
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The second stereotype, “supercrip” is the portrayal of the character as courageous and strong-willed. This character portrayal has the disabled person overcoming the disability and performing like a superhero. This portrayal also serves as a role model and one that motivates others (Black, & Pretes, 2007). This can be detrimental to the disabled watching the movie. They might feel like a failure since they have not been able to achieve the accomplishments that the character was able to do. This character representation allows the public to view the disabled as competent but it can be considered inspirational porn. In the movie The Bone Collector, Denzel Washington is a quadriplegic homicide detective who tracks down a serial killer (Bregman & Noyce, 1999). The character is “strong-minded and complex” (Schaefer, 2014, p. 1). Instead of the audience seeing the character performing the duties of a detective, the audience can focus on the disability leading them to believe that the character should be admired for their tenacity to overcome the disability, not as a character performing the expected behaviors. As seen in many of the videos and readings this semester the disabled do not feel as though they should be viewed as a hero and receive accolades for doing their jobs.
The third stereotype that is seen in the movies is the one where the disabled person is seen as sinister, evil, or criminal. The Joker in the movie The Dark Knight is an example of someone with a mental disability portrayed as sinister and evil. In the movie, the Joker is classified as schizophrenic. Because of his disability, he is sinister and criminal (Thomas & Nolan, 2008). This portrayal can lead to many misconceptions about the disabled. The disabled are viewed as hateful and menacing. This leads to the public being suspicious of them. The nondisabled see the character as full of rage and anger about their disability. They see this rage directed at them (Momene, 2015). These misconceptions can also lead to fear of the disabled which can lead to society excluding the disabled (Black, & Pretes, 2007). Quite ironically, research shows that people with disabilities are more likely to be recipients of violence than the ones who have violent tendencies (Media Smarts, 2019).
In many of the film portrayals, the disabled person is seen as someone who is better off dead. This portrayal shows people with disabilities have a life that is not worth living. This portrayal also leads to a feeling that maybe ending their life would be better for all concerned (Black, & Pretes, 2007). In the movie, Me Before You the lead character is involved in a motorcycle accident. After the accident, he is a quadriplegic. He feels his life is no longer worth living and wants to commit suicide. Even with the intervention of a woman with who he eventually falls in love, the main character commits suicide at the end (Rosenfelt & Sharrock, 2016). This movie accentuates the fourth stereotype of the disabled in films. Being disabled does not make a person totally dependent on others. Even though they are disabled they still have independence and freedom. They still have control over their life (Black, & Pretes, 2007). Since death becomes the preferred solution to what is viewed as the disabled person’s problems, “society is not responsible for dealing with long-term needs and rights of people with disabilities” (Black, & Pretes, 2007, p. 67). In today’s society rehabilitation services and technology is available to help improve the quality of life. These services highlight the fact people have the “right to be disabled” (Black, & Pretes, 2007, p. 67).
Many see the disabled as people who are maladjusted. They are their own worst enemy. Black, & Pretes (2007) explain that is a stereotype “promotes the idea that people with disabilities need insight about themselves and the world from those without disabilities” (p.67). This stereotype is seen in the movie Quest for Camelot. The main character, Kayley, goes on a journey to find Excalibur, which has been stolen. Along her journey, she meets different characters some of who are disabled. The conjoined dragons in the film represent the stereotype of being maladjusted and their own worst enemy. In order to learn to breathe fire, they have to learn to work together instead of always bickering with each other. This fact has to be pointed out to them by Garrett, another character that is disabled (Clavel & DuChau, 1998). The movie exemplifies the idea that “accomplishment ultimately depends on one’s attitude toward oneself and toward life” (Black, & Pretes, 2007, p. 67). Unfortunately, this stereotype does not take into account how society views disability. It ignores the stigma that society attaches to disability. It also does not take into account how the disabled face discrimination (Black, & Pretes, 2007).
The portrayal of the disabled as burdens is another stereotype found in films. In this type of movie, the emphasis is shifted to the caregivers. The story becomes more about them than the disability or the disabled. Movies that highlight the disabled as burdens do not show the disabled as “being capable of interacting with others to the benefit of both parties” (Black, Pretes, 2017, p. 67). The theme of the movie is centered on the caregiver and the problems they encounter when taking care of the disabled. In the movie Gaby: A True Story, the lead character is a girl with cerebral palsy who is wheelchair-bound. Her parents and a nanny that they hire work with Gaby to help her overcome her difficulties in communication. While Gaby is seen as a disabled person who is able to overcome the problems experienced by those with cerebral palsy, the main focus of the movie is on the parents and nanny and their exceptional work to help Gaby. They are seen as the superheroes who accept the responsibility of helping Gaby (Perry & Mandoki, 1987). The main focus is on the caregivers, not the disability. This exemplifies Black and Pretes (2017) description of this stereotype, the endeavors of the caregivers are seen as saintly because they rise above the obstacles presented when caring for a disabled person. This movie shows how the disabled can be a burden. The focus is not on the disabled but the caregivers and the image of their work and problems as they work with the disabled character. The movie portrayals show the caregivers as heroes who are selfless, generous, and who should be applauded for their work with the disabled person. In movies using this stereotype, the disabled person is “no more than a prop” (Black, & Pretes, 2017, p. 67). This portrayal gives the nondisabled viewer an inaccurate view of the disability because it focuses on the problems and responsibility of the family or caregiver instead of the disability itself. The disabled can be made to feel that their disability is a burden and that they are not worthy of the care and help being given by their family or caregiver.
The last stereotypical portrayal in films shows the disabled as “unable to live a successful life” (Black, & Pretes, 2017, p. 67). The movies do not reflect the disabled person taking a place in the community and living a happy life. Many of the movies do not show the disabled in normal everyday roles. Instead, they are shown in the stereotypical expectation of the disabled. In the movie Quest of Camelot one of the characters, Garrett is an example of this stereotype. Garret does not feel accepted in Camelot. Because of this, he goes to the forbidden forest to live by himself. He does not want to deal with the people he feels have excluded him (Clavel & DuChau, 1998). In the film, Garrett is “defined by his disability” (Black, & Pretes, 2017, p. 67). It is not until later when he helps the main character search for Excalibur does his personal characteristics shine over the stereotype of his disability. The movie does not give the public a true vision of the disabled and their abilities. Disability does not make a person unable to succeed in daily life. They can be active participants in the community. They go to work. They are members of a family. They have love interests. A film like the Quest for Camelot gives the general public and the disabled a prejudiced view of disability.
The passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act has helped to break down the barriers that did not allow the disabled to fully participate in society. The barriers that kept the disabled from active participation have been removed and there is a continual effort to help the disabled overcome the exclusions they faced in the past. Hollywood needs to make a better attempt to join the movement to portray disability in a non-stereotypical way. While some progress can be seen in movies released recently, the producers still have a long way to go to portray disability in a way that helps the nondisabled see disability as normal. They also have to ensure that the disabled are not made to feel inferior. Powell (2018) states that more films are needed which “normalize disability” (para. 14). By producing films that exemplify the seven stereotypes seen in movies about disability, Hollywood is not adding to the strides made in society concerning the disabled and disability.
