S.L. 350.17 ст. 23

Misrepresentation of Disabled People 2.1 It is difficult to overestimate the damage caused by negative terms and the resultant negative images of disabled people. Disabled people often feel they are misrepresented by the way in which they are portrayed in words, pictures and sound on the mass media. 2.2 Representation of disabled people as "different" or "special" simply because of their disability; imagery is used which portrays them in extreme terms, such as the "hero" or "victim" approach:

i. VICTIMS are portrayed as tragic helpless and pathetic; ii. HEROES are portrayed as eternally cheerful, superhumanly good and tremendously courageous; 2.3 The patronising attitude towards disabled people reinforces stereotypes even when they are presented positively. This happens, for example, when disabled persons are praised for achieving something that would be unremarkable if done by others.

2.4 The frequent use of particular phrases and terms in daily language which may be purely subjective and result in inaccurate, patronising and ultimately damaging imagery. This includes the use of emotive terms like "afflicted", "stricken", "sufferer" and "victim", the use of phrases such as "confined to a wheelchair", the treatment of disabled people as if they were a homogenous group instead of a diverse group of individuals and the making of assumptions or generalisations about how disabled people feel.

2.5 The portrayal of impairment, especially when evident, by focusing on the individual’s impaired condition at the expense of the person’s other attributes. 2.6 Lack of consultation with disabled people and their organisations about issues affecting their lives. 2.7 The undignified portrayal of disabled people during broadcasts of fund-raising events and charity campaigns depicting them as uni-dimentional stereotypes. 2.8 The ridiculing of the disabled in productions, especially teleserials exploiting disability for humour. 2.9 Failure to check accuracy of information before it is broadcast; and 2.10 The portrayal of disabled people in a sensational manner.