What biases do journalists need to avoid when reporting on people with disabilities?

1 Bias 1: Inspiration porn

One of the most prevalent and harmful biases is the tendency to portray people with disabilities as objects of pity, admiration, or inspiration, without acknowledging their agency, diversity, or complexity. This is known as inspiration porn, a term coined by disability activist Stella Young. Inspiration porn reduces people with disabilities to their impairments, and exploits their struggles or achievements for the benefit of non-disabled audiences. It also reinforces the idea that disability is a tragedy that needs to be overcome, rather than a natural and normal part of human diversity.

2 Bias 2: Medical model

Another common bias is the use of the medical model of disability, which focuses on the individual's impairment, diagnosis, or treatment, rather than the social and environmental barriers that they face. The medical model implies that people with disabilities are broken, defective, or abnormal, and that they need to be fixed, cured, or normalized. It also ignores the lived experiences, perspectives, and preferences of people with disabilities, and treats them as passive recipients of care, rather than active agents of change.

3 Bias 3: Tokenism

A third bias is the practice of tokenism, which means including people with disabilities in a superficial or symbolic way, without giving them meaningful representation or participation. Tokenism often occurs when journalists seek to include a token disabled person in a story, without considering their relevance, context, or contribution. It also happens when journalists rely on a single or limited source of information, without seeking diverse or alternative views from people with disabilities. Tokenism perpetuates the marginalization and exclusion of people with disabilities, and denies them the opportunity to shape their own narratives.

4 Bias 4: Ableism

A fourth bias is the manifestation of ableism, which is the discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities, based on the assumption that being able-bodied is the norm and the ideal. Ableism can take many forms, such as using derogatory or offensive language, making assumptions or generalizations, imposing stereotypes or expectations, or denying access or accommodation. Ableism also affects the way journalists frame and angle their stories, and the tone and style they use to communicate them. Ableism can result in inaccurate, unfair, or harmful reporting, and can damage the dignity and rights of people with disabilities.

5 How to avoid biases

To achieve more ethical and respectful reporting on people with disabilities, journalists should adopt the social model of disability, use person-first or identity-first language, and use accurate and appropriate terminology. Additionally, they must seek consent and respect privacy, include people with disabilities as sources or experts, challenge stereotypes and assumptions, and promote inclusion and accessibility. Following these tips can help journalists avoid biases when reporting on people with disabilities, producing stories that are more accurate, respectful, and empowering. Moreover, it contributes to a more diverse and inclusive media landscape, as well as a more informed and engaged public.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?