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Disability on TV
Mat Fraser on the portrayal of disability on Channel 4.
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Mat Fraser
13th Feb 02
When Channel 4 started it was mooted as an alternative
channel that would provide different kinds of programming to the other
terrestrial channels. As a disabled person, at the time I thought
this was very exciting, I thought oh great, there's going to be a
proliferation of disabled people shot through all the different types
of television, factual, light entertainment, drama, soaps, educational,
children's. Well, almost twenty years later there's still a dearth
of disabled people on television. There are virtually no examples
of disabled actors in dramas, and the few times there are disabled
people on television it's inevitably the tragic but brave style of
documentary. I know it might seem az little ungracious of me because
I'm probably on of the few disabled people who have been on television
in the last five years and it hasn't escaped my notice that every
time it's been Channel 4 that has employed me. The real situation
here is there are no disabled people on Brookside. Why? Why are there
no disabled people in Teachers? Why are there no disabled people on
any children's drama, yes we have the deaf television, and I must
acknowledge that Channel 4 are probably the best terrestrial channel
at representation of disability, but it's just not good enough. I
want to see disabled people's issues explored in drama, I want to
see disabled people, actors, being used as a lawyer here, a housewife
here, a cut and thrust drug dealer there in dramas. Why not? Channel
4, you're doing really well. You're the best channel at representation
of disability but you have not delivered your promises. Buck your
ideas up or we'll go somewhere else.
Watch a video
of this comment. You will need Realplayer.
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Lisa Osmond
15th Feb 02
As an LP (little person) involved in tv/film 'extra' work, I
run a group for LPs involved in the Media. To date I have 115
members from all over the world. We wish to be given opportunities
to appear on tv in drama, soap, commercials etc. in 'normal'
everyday roles. Whenever you see an LP on tv it is either in
a serious documentary (medical), talk show (regarding their
condition), sci fic or fantasy films (in costume) or as something
of a joke. If LPs were to be given a chance to be seen in 'normal'
everday roles especially as background artists, then there would
be less of the ignorance we encounter from day to day. After
all we are 'normal' just smaller ! Channel 4 seems to be the
only channel that has any interest in helping disabled people
in this field, however saying that, I have yet to see a disabled/or
LP in a positive role. If you would like to visit my group you
can do so here.
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