The majority of studies published on this topic focused on how media portrayals of people with disabilities affect the way the public perceives them. Mass media is considered the public’s most significant source of information about mental illnesses and disabilities, which is a concern because it can lead to increased stereotypes towards people with disabilities (Nordahl-Hansen et. al 2018). For example, researchers Nordahl-Hansen, Oien, and Watson (2018) found that as people with disabilities being seen in film are increasing, there is an increasing awareness of their conditions. This may not necessarily be a good thing, since an increase in stereotypes associated with people who have disabilities has been used. There is often a strengthening of stereotypes and stigma, and a focus on violent representations which are over-represented compared to real life (2018). Similarly to Nordahl-Hansen, Oien, and Watson (2018), Callus (2019) looks at how people with intellectual disabilities are represented in four films: Forrest Gump, Rain Man, Being There, and I Am Sam. Filmmakers are under no obligation to make sure the narratives are a direct representation of reality, so it reinforces society’s views about dehumanizing people with disabilities (2019).
There are several films and shows that use characters who have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Holton (2013) found that portrayals of ASD often focus on isolation and fear, and do not really take individual perspectives into account. Dean and Nordahl‑Hansen (2021) agree, however they explain that portrayals of these people seem to be moving away from the typical stereotypes that have previously been depicted. They explain that it is very important that films are accurately depicting these people, since not many people in real life have had personal experience with someone with ASD (2021). This means they are solely basing their views of people with disabilities off of how they are depicted in films.
Media portrayals of people with disabilities do not only affect those with intellectual disabilities, they affect people who have physical disabilities. Rider (1994) discusses how people who are handicapped are extremely under-represented in the media, and when they are portrayed, it is typically negative, misleading, and inaccurate. In addition, they are often seen as “victims of humor or ridicule, and of verbal and physical violence” which can have damaging effects on how the public perceives them (1994). Similarly, Ljuslinder (2014) explains that oftentimes people with physical disabilities are included in comedy films. The goal is typically to induce laughter for the audience by making fun of people’s impairments, which puts disability and humor under the same umbrella (2014). These kinds of films cause many negative effects on how people are perceiving those who are handicapped.
Clearly, there are many kinds of disabilities present in films. Another disability often included in films are psychiatric patients and treatments. Byrne (2009) discusses how representations of psychiatrists are mixed but psychiatric treatments are rarely portrayed positively. Since film is a powerful instrument of social change, when psychiatric patients are presented negatively, this affects the way people perceive them (2009).
It is evident that films include not only one type of disability, but all disabilities. When films include stereotypes, it negatively portrays these people. Films like this allow the public to believe this is an accurate representation of disabilities, when it is clearly not. It is necessary films are as realistic as possible so that the public does not attach demeaning stereotypes to people with disabilities.