This site explores the limitations presented by the predominant use of static photographic images to represent disabled people.
assesment-2-zine-1I examine and reflect on the issues with the visual photographic representation that we are exposed to through digital media. Drawing on the work like that of Hall (1997) and I look at the tendency for a specific convenient stereotype to dominate when difference is represented in the media. I also consider how representation can evoke and reinforce societal attitudes and feelings towards difference and other; in this case towards disabled persons.
Disability representation has been widely discussed regarding amount of representation and how it may be reinforcing problematic stereotypes. Crowther (2020) notes that while 15% of the global population are disabled, a google search for, people work’ and ‘office meetings’ showed visually disabled people. I focus more on the second point she makes ‘disability photos tend to make stereotypical assumptions. Crowther also relates her observation back to societal issues such as the disability employment gap and accessibility. It is important to see if the observations I make regarding representations are reflected in the issues that are imposed by society. I, therefore, tried to look at other sources of research such as charity websites, social media and academic research in order to explore beyond what the images may not be able to tell me.
Couser reminds us that “Disability is an inescapable element of human existence and experience. Although it is rarely acknowledged as such, it is also a fundamental aspect of human diversity” (2005 p.602), reinforcing the thought that the issue with visual representation may be that it is insufficient to represent the human experience.
Parts of the lived human experience are invisible. Some visual characteristics are not necessarily visible in a photograph: if a person is stood you might not be able to see them walk with an altered gait. The lack of movement and passage of time indirectly objectifies and flattens the subject, telling only a limited truth. Researching the representation of disabilities as a whole was necessary as many of the stereotypes for one disability can be applied to another. The representation of disabled people, depicted the most visible differences, such as being in a wheelchair. We seem to represent difference or similarity. However, I tried to explore how similarities could be acknowledged alongside differences.
Cerebral palsy is interesting as it can fit into the mould of ‘disability’ that is often depicted but it also varies dramatically from very slight impairment to a very server impairment and it can also be described as an invisible impairment. While this approach did make it harder to focus my research I felt it was needed to try and not fall into the trap of restricting my work, considering the restrictions of the current representation were the very thing I was exploring.
Whilst developing an output I was aware that challenging the limitations of visual representation would be difficult as most of my creative output ideas were visual. Ultimately I decided to create a short animation that raises awareness of the limitations of static imagery. I also created a series of portraits using descriptive words which highlight characteristics that may be harder to depict and change over time.
I considered pulling together a collection of stories and longer pieces however photographic, visual representation is so prominent as images are easy for us to process and do not require much of our attention or time to comprehend (Scharf 2017). By placing the words within the image I hoped to create a link to what we are comfortable with being presented with.
Although my animation is very simple I do feel like it helps summarize the project and also highlights the implications of wider society. If according to the social model the attitudes and physical barriers imposed by society are disabling people with impairments, we should then be conscious of how a person with a disability, experiences daily life and more dynamic representation may help build a better awareness of the implications and lived experience of being a disabled person rather objectifying both the disability and the person leaving them excluded and isolated.
I would have liked to have explored another way to deliver the output other than a however my difficulty with trying to think of a way to deliver this furthered my awareness of how reliant I myself am with visual stimuli. When making the animation I felt that it suddenly had more impact when I added the music. Considering this I should have narrated the animation; the tonal variations in a voice can greatly help the receipt of the message and give a sense of emotion. I feel that I am now more aware of how our interaction with sensory media is very reliant on the visual sense and the auditory sense, I would really like to further investigate a tactile experience and even explore how exposure to certain smells or tastes can influence our sensory, emotional media experience.
Barnes, C. 1992. Disabling imagery and the media : an exploration of the principles for media representations of disabled people : the first in a series of reports . Ryburn Publishing.
Couser, G, t,. 2005. Disability, Life Narrative, and Representation, PMLA , 120(2), pp. 602-606
Crowther, A, 2020, Who decides how disability is represented in stock photography? UX Collective available from: https://uxdesign.cc/disability-representation-in-stock-photography-7d4c80db0f13
Hall, S. (1997). Representation : cultural representations and signifying practices . SAGE. Scharf,R.E, 2017 Pictures tell their own story Images in Thrombosis & Haemostasis, Schattauer Hämostaseologi, 37, pp. 181–183
Scharf,R.E, 2017 Pictures tell their own story Images in Thrombosis & Haemostasis, SchattauerHämostaseologi, 37, pp. 181–183
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