Stereotyped Representations of Disability in Film and Television: A Critical Review of Narrative Media

Ana Guadalupe Gallego, Camino Ferreira and Ana Rosa Arias-Gago ()
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Ana Guadalupe Gallego: ÉVORI Research Group, Department of Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy, Faculty of Education, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Camino Ferreira: ÉVORI Research Group, Department of Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy, Faculty of Education, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Ana Rosa Arias-Gago: ÉVORI Research Group, Department of General, Specific Didactics and Theory of Education, Faculty of Education, University of León, 24071 León, Spain

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 4, 1-25

Abstract: Film and television play a key role in shaping cultural perceptions of disability, but they often rely on recurring stereotypes that may reinforce stigma and exclusion. Although scholarly interest in this issue has increased, the academic literature remains fragmented and lacks a comprehensive synthesis. This critical review examines how disability is represented through stereotypical portrayals in narrative audiovisual media, specifically scripted films and television series. It synthesizes peer-reviewed studies that explicitly analyze these representations and their narrative or sociocultural functions. The review identifies dominant tropes, theoretical frameworks, and disciplinary approaches while providing a qualitative synthesis of key trends and findings. Although persistent stereotypes are still common, the review also highlights a growing presence of more inclusive and complex portrayals that challenge traditional norms. By providing a structured overview of existing research, this study enhances academic understanding of how disability is depicted on screen and supports efforts to promote more inclusive and accurate representations in popular media.

Keywords: disability representation; media stereotypes; critical review; film and television; inclusive portrayals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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