When choosing books (or reviewing TV shows, movies, videos, plays, etc.), here are some questions you might
            ask about disabled/different characters or stories featuring them.
 

l.  Are the disabled/different characters one-dimensional (clumsy or foolish, evil or malicious)?  Are they depicted as childish or childlike, even if they are adults? or Do the disabled/different characters have individual and complex personalities?

2.  Are they always sad; always the recipient of pity; preoccupied with the hope of recovery?  Are they more sensitive, or more angry or bitter, than the average person?  is the disability synonymous with their being somehow incomplete?

or Are they complete people, relating to peers and having thoughts which are not always related to their disability?  Are they capable of a full range of emotions?

3.  Are they passive, dependent, asexual?

or Are they contributing, competent, independent people?

4.  Are their physical characteristics related to their personalities?

or Are their physical descriptions separate from their personalities?

5.  Are they described as beautiful or handsome, except for their disabilities?  Are clothing, activities or aspirations described on in terms of limitations?

or Are they attractive people who could have a sweetheart or sexual partner/  Do they see themselves as capable, loving, sexual?

6.  Do they have special powers because of their disability/differentness?  Is there a relationship between their attractiveness and goodness and physical improvement?

or Have they acquired skills which require ingenuity, since disability requires constant adapting and creative problem-solving?

7.  Do they become cured solely because of a "positive attitude"?  Is their "bad attitude" the only thing standing in the way of success?

or Are societal barriers explored in discussing "attitudes"?

8.  Do they have a miraculous recovery due to the intervention of one of the main characters?

or Can they find their strengths and answers without having to be rescued?

9.  Are the non-disabled characters always helping them, or are the non-disabled characters especially wonderful for being friends with them?

or Are they depicted as helpers or good friends?

10. Are they always alone?

or Do they have homes, children; are they part of the community?

11. Do they get victimized or killed off?

or Are they shown as people who can protect themselves?

12. Are they "just like you"?

or Is each person seen as an individual with similarities to and and differences from "you"?

13. Is the language oppressive"  "cripple,"  "lame,"  "handicapped,"  "feeble-minded,"  "deaf-dumb,"  "reetard"?  Is the language euphemistic or cutesy:  "physically challenged,"  "handicapable,"  "differently-abled"?

or Is the language respectful:  Disabled, developmentally disabled, deaf, hearing impaired, mobility-impaired?

14. Does the story evoke pity or sorrow?

or Does the story evoke genuine compassion?

15. Is there anything in the story line, characters or language that would embarrass or humiliate a disabled person?

or Are the storyline, characters, and language respectful to people with disabilities?
 

Stereotypes