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"There are two words that must appear in every headline. One is "silence" (eg Sounds of Silence; Silent Courage); the other word is "signs" (A Good Sign). If you want to go all the way, you can combine the two (Signs of Silence)."
- A tongue-in-cheek look at media portrayal of Deaf people, Tom Willard, 1993.
"I have a life totally unrelated to my disability".
- Graeme Innes, President of the Royal Blind Society, extracted from You can make a difference published by the ABC.
RIDBC has some quick tips on portraying people with disabilities in the media:
- Put people first, not their disability. If you can, use "a child with hearing impairment" rather than "a hearing-impaired child". This is not always possible, but it is preferable.
- Be accurate in describing disabilities. For example, being culturally Deaf OR having a hearing impairment are two entirely different things:
- Members of Australia's Deaf community (capital D) define themselves by culture, and do not regard their deafness as a disability. They communicate in Auslan, Australian Sign Language (not AUSLAN in capitals).
- People with a hearing impairment use aided hearing, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, to communicate orally.
- There are murky waters in between, and lots of politics, so it is always best to ask anyone you are interviewing how they prefer to be described.
- Focus on the individual, not only on his or her disability, which is only one facet of the person. Try to keep the person's disability in proper perspective.
- Emphasise abilities, not limitations. Consider uses a wheelchair or walks with crutches rather than confined to a wheelchair or crippled. Avoid use of inappropriate emotional descriptors such as unfortunate or pitiful
- Portray successful people with disabilities as successful people, not super humans. Even though the public may admire super achievers, portraying people with disabilities as superstars raises false expectations that all people with disabilities should achieve at this level.
- Be accurate with your messages. Avoid negative stereotyping, with words such as handicapped; dumb; retarded; crippled; physically challenged; afflicted; confined; able-bodied; tragic; sufferer; victim. Ask yourself: does this portrayal patronise or victimise?
- Be willing to ask. If in doubt, ask a straightforward question. Most people with disabilities dislike undue sympathy or someone "treading on eggshells".
If you would like more advice, please contact the Media Relations Department of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children on (02) 9871 1233.