As a major global media conglomerate, Disney has a significant impact on societal attitudes toward disability and impairments, thus contributing to the education of the general public on the topic of disability. This entry examines the representation of disability in Disney films through the exploration of pre-existing literature, evaluating the extent to which disability representations have improved in recent years. Research revealed that up until very recently, Disney reproduced dated depictions of disabled characters in negative and degrading ways, often showcasing them as people to be feared, or thought of in awe. Within this entry are the analyses of particular Disney films from a variety of eras, discussing both the positive and problematic representations. The merger of Walt Disney Animation Studio and Pixar Animation Studios has signaled the beginning of more progressive representations of marginalized groups, although the progressive representation of disability remains lacking. This is particularly evident when compared to the recent progressive representations of race within Disney/Pixar films. Although the actualization of representations which celebrate human diversity may appear slow, this entry acknowledges the recent adaptations made to original storylines by Disney—such as those of Snow White and The Little Mermaid. These changes embrace human diversity and move away from traditional stereotypes that categorize disability as being evil, infantile, or comedic. This entry aims to evaluate the overall portrayals of disabled characters and assess their impact on audiences’ perceptions while advocating for less ableist depictions of disabled individuals.

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Representation of Disability in Disney Films

  • Lauren Rainer

摘要

As a major global media conglomerate, Disney has a significant impact on societal attitudes toward disability and impairments, thus contributing to the education of the general public on the topic of disability. This entry examines the representation of disability in Disney films through the exploration of pre-existing literature, evaluating the extent to which disability representations have improved in recent years. Research revealed that up until very recently, Disney reproduced dated depictions of disabled characters in negative and degrading ways, often showcasing them as people to be feared, or thought of in awe. Within this entry are the analyses of particular Disney films from a variety of eras, discussing both the positive and problematic representations. The merger of Walt Disney Animation Studio and Pixar Animation Studios has signaled the beginning of more progressive representations of marginalized groups, although the progressive representation of disability remains lacking. This is particularly evident when compared to the recent progressive representations of race within Disney/Pixar films. Although the actualization of representations which celebrate human diversity may appear slow, this entry acknowledges the recent adaptations made to original storylines by Disney—such as those of Snow White and The Little Mermaid. These changes embrace human diversity and move away from traditional stereotypes that categorize disability as being evil, infantile, or comedic. This entry aims to evaluate the overall portrayals of disabled characters and assess their impact on audiences’ perceptions while advocating for less ableist depictions of disabled individuals.