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Representation of people with intellectual disabilities in a British newspaper in 1983 and 2001

Wilkinson, Penny, McGill, Peter (2009) Representation of people with intellectual disabilities in a British newspaper in 1983 and 2001. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22 (1). pp. 65-76. ISSN 1360-2322. (doi:10.1111/j.1468-3148.2008.00453.x) (KAR id:20761)

Abstract

Background: Media representation of people with intellectual disabilities may contribute to general perceptions held about them and reflect changes in policy and service provision.

Materials and Methods: Articles from The Guardian newspaper in 2001 were analysed and compared to a previous analysis of material published in 1983.

Results: There was much more coverage of people with autism or Down syndrome than expected from their actual frequency in the British population of people with intellectual disabilities. Newspaper reports continued to be about children more often than expected when about autism or Down syndrome, but not when about people with other intellectual disabilities. Medically-related representations were less than in the past but juxtaposition with other client groups continued. More “people-first” terminology was now used except in respect of people with autism. Articles systematically under-represented complexity and severity of need.

Conclusions: Policy and service changes may have contributed to the decline of medically- and child-related representations within non-specific intellectual disabilities. The continued over-representation of children in articles about autism and Down syndrome, and the generally increased reference to people with those syndromes, suggests growing differentiation within the population of people with intellectual disabilities. The focus on people with less severe or complex disabilities echoes criticisms of Valuing People.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2008.00453.x
Uncontrolled keywords: autism, intellectual disability, media, newspapers
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > HV3008 People with mental disabilities
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: Peter McGill
Date Deposited: 28 Aug 2009 08:20 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:58 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/20761 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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