‘Not Heroes, Not Objects of Pity’: Advocates Push for Balanced Disability Narratives
A workshop on disability-inclusive reporting urged the media to move beyond portraying people with disabilities as heroes or objects of pity. Nidhi Goyal of Rising Flame highlighted the importance of media sensitization in amplifying the voices of people with disabilities. The workshop was organized by the United Nations and other organizations.
The media tend to depict individuals with disabilities either as heroes or as objects of sympathy. We have to break free from these two. This was raised in a media sensitization workshop on disability-sensitive reporting on Monday.
What sensitivity must be used while reporting on individuals with disabilities? The workshop highlighted the importance of doing away with the stereotypes surrounding individuals with disabilities that emerge while conversing and, in some cases, even on screen. It was noted that the media has a huge influence on the way people perceive things and can cause social change.
United Nations in India, UN Women, and NGOs Rising Flame and International Purple Fest jointly organized this one-day workshop on disability-inclusive reporting at the United Nations House in Delhi. The workshop was jointly organized and attended by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of the Government of India, the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities of Goa, the United Nations in India, and UN Women.
Speaking on media sensitization in reporting on disabilities, Nidhi Goyal, Founder and Executive Director of Rising Flame, who is herself visually impaired, said that the media often portrays people with disabilities as either heroes or objects of pity. We need to move beyond these two approaches.
She added that Rising Flame's Spotlight Media Workshop is a step towards amplifying the voices of people with disabilities. Since the media plays a vital role in shaping public understanding and influencing policy, organizing these workshops ensures that disability is accurately covered with dignity and from a rights-based perspective.
However, he acknowledged that perceptions of persons with disabilities have changed, and significant differences have been made. The language of the law has also changed. Speaking on the occasion, UN Resident Coordinator in India, Shombi Sharp, stated that the media has immense power to shape perceptions and bring about social change.
Rajesh Agarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India, spoke about the International Purple Fest for Persons with Disabilities, to be held in Goa in October, saying that it is not just a celebration, but a movement to change mindsets and systems.
By bringing together global experts, innovators, policymakers, and communities, the festival will demonstrate how inclusive thinking and universal design can reshape our societies. The new research, cutting-edge technologies, and creative ideas presented here will open doors to empowerment, independence, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
