Blog #4: Media Coverage on the Paralympics

I think in order to increase media coverage of the Paralympics and other disabled sports requires strategic planning and commitment to inclusivity, visibility, and accessibility. One of the first steps is securing partnerships with major networks well in advance. This will guarantee broadcast slots before these events take place, and the Paralympics and other disabled sports can ensure they receive proper exposure. Early planning ensures global access, allowing people from around the world to tune in and support the athletes competing. 

To draw more attention, the media should highlight specific athletes by focusing on their personal stories and achievements. Sharing how they reached their current level of success through hard work, dedication, and overcoming challenges makes the events more relatable and inspiring. These human-interest stories also help audiences connect with the athletes beyond their sports, showcasing their diversity and individuality. Additionally, broadcasts must be accessible to everyone. Features like sign language interpretation, audio descriptions, and closed captioning ensure that fans of all abilities can fully enjoy the coverage.

Addressing the portrayal of people with disabilities in the media as “villains,” “supercrips,” or “helpless” requires a cultural shift in storytelling. Media professionals should receive proper training to learn how to speak about disability respectfully and avoid harmful stereotypes. This includes moving away from overly dramatic narratives or framing disability as something that defines a person entirely. Hiring disabled individuals as anchors, writers, and storytellers is equally critical. By doing this, the media can ensure that stories are told authentically, directly reflecting the experiences of those within the disability community.

Focusing on the whole person rather than their disability is another key element. Highlighting their talents, hard work, and achievements without pity or over-sensationalizing their stories helps reframe the narrative. Supporting disabled creators and amplifying their voices through social media, blogs, and shows can further dismantle stereotypes and promote authentic representation. When disabled individuals share their stories, they reclaim their narratives and provide a more nuanced understanding of their lives. This not draws media attention, but it shares a personal narrative and showcases that everyone can do hard things no matter the obstacle. 

Finally, normalizing disability in advertisements, TV shows, and movies can help integrate it into everyday life. "For the first time ever, in partnership with Making Spaces, NBCU increased representation with hosts and production crews with a disability" (International Paralympic Committee). When disability is portrayed as just another facet of the human experience, it fosters understanding and acceptance. These steps are vital for creating a fairer, more positive media representation of people with disabilities, ensuring that their contributions to society, sports, and culture are fully recognized and celebrated.

I firmly believe that making these changes can have a transformative impact on how the media represents people with disabilities and disabled sports. Supporting disabled creators and normalizing disability in everyday media is a step toward building a more accepting and equitable society. I am confident that if we implement these strategies, we can create a media landscape that truly celebrates diversity and respects the dignity of all individuals.

Sources:

International Paralympic Committee. (2025, January 25). New record Paralympic coverage announced for Paris 2024. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://www.paralympic.org/paris-2024/news/new-record-paralympic-coverage#:~:text=The%20Peacock%20hub%20includes%20more,NBC%2C%20USA%20Network%20and%20CNBC.&text=For%20the%20first%20time%20ever,production%20crews%20with%20a%20disability