Part3 research – VFX2025

First I did some general research about disabled characters in film and TV shows

So, What is the defenition of disability?

Here is the text of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), including changes made by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.

As used in this chapter:

(1) Disability

The term “disability” means, with respect to an individual—

(A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual;

(B) a record of such an impairment; or

(2) Major Life Activities

(A) In general

For purposes of paragraph (1), major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.

(B) Major bodily functions

For purposes of paragraph (1), a major life activity also includes the operation of a major bodily function, including but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.

(3) Regarded as having such an impairment

For purposes of paragraph (1)(C):

(A) An individual meets the requirement of “being regarded as having such an impairment” if the individual establishes that he or she has been subjected to an action prohibited under this chapter because of an actual or perceived physical or mental impairment whether or not the impairment limits or is perceived to limit a major life activity.

(B) Paragraph (1)(C) shall not apply to impairments that are transitory and minor. A transitory impairment is an impairment with an actual or expected duration of 6 months or less.

(4) Rules of construction regarding the definition of disability

The definition of “disability” in paragraph (1) shall be construed in accordance with the following:

(A) The definition of disability in this chapter shall be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals under this chapter, to the maximum extent permitted by the terms of this chapter.

(B) The term “substantially limits” shall be interpreted consistently with the findings and purposes of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.

(C) An impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not limit other major life activities in order to be considered a disability.

(D) An impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active.

(E)

(i) The determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures such as—

(I) medication, medical supplies, equipment, or appliances, low-vision devices (which do not include ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses), prosthetics including limbs and devices, hearing aids and cochlear implants or other implantable hearing devices, mobility devices, or oxygen therapy equipment and supplies;

(II) use of assistive technology;

(III) reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids or services; or

(IV) learned behavioral or adaptive neurological modifications.

(ii) The ameliorative effects of the mitigating measures of ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses shall be considered in determining whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity.

(iii) As used in this subparagraph—

(I) the term “ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses” means lenses that are intended to fully correct visual acuity or eliminate refractive error; and

(II) the term “low-vision devices” means devices that magnify, enhance, or otherwise augment a visual image.

https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/#:~:text=No%20covered%20entity%20shall%20discriminate,conditions%2C%20and%20privileges%20of%20employment.

Chinese Law

A disabled person refers to an individual whose psychological, physiological, or human structural aspects, or certain organizations and functions, are abnormal or lost, and who is completely or partially unable to engage in certain activities in a normal way.

Disabled people include those with visual impairments, hearing impairments, speech impairments, physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mental disabilities, multiple disabilities, and other disabilities.

https://www.gov.cn/guoqing/2021-10/29/content_5647618.htm#:~:text=%E7%AC%AC%E4%BA%8C%E6%9D%A1%E6%AE%8B%E7%96%BE%E4%BA%BA,%E6%AE%8B%E7%96%BE%E6%A0%87%E5%87%86%E7%94%B1%E5%9B%BD%E5%8A%A1%E9%99%A2%E8%A7%84%E5%AE%9A%E3%80%82

UK Law

In ADA,(A) An individual meets the requirement of “being regarded as having such an impairment” if the individual establishes that he or she has been subjected to an action prohibited under this chapter because of an actual or perceived physical or mental impairment whether or not the impairment limits or is perceived to limit a major life activity.

Which kind of disability will I talk about? Or should I consider this problem?

Who is my target audience?

Film-maker/content creator?

Analysis of films and TV shows about disability

Why these creators talk about disabilities, what are their aims?

It attracts the audience, and it also shows the general idea about how society viewed disability at that time.

Disability Portrayal in Film and Its Impact on Social Inclusion

A quiet place vs American Horror Story Freak Show

American Horror Story: Freak Show (Series) - TV Tropes

Comparison of Two Horror Films About People with Disabilities

Does American Horror Story’s over-portrayal of the dark psychology of people with disabilities lead to more negative stereotyping of people with disabilities by the general public?

In this part (Sex Education S4E1), the female character says the male character learns art because he is disabled, and painting can help with psychological issues.

A side-by-side comparison of two inspirational films about people with disabilities

Over depicting the suffering of disabled people, deepening stereotypes, sympathy and disgust, this kind of is like letting people understand the difficulties of disabled people and then feel lucky to be able-bodied, or portraying disabled people as perfect, leading to the idea that if he were a normal person, he could do better, which leads to the idea that disabled people who are not so good are just disabled people, and that the disabled people who are not so good are just disabled people, and that the disabled people who are not so good are just disabled people, and the disabled people who are not so good are just disabled people.