Disability and the Media: An ADA 30th Anniversary Discussion

How can we better engage with the media to elevate the stories and share the experiences of people with disabilities? Mainstream news coverage largely leaves disability out of its programming despite disability being a cross-over issue for almost every topic. When a person with a disability is covered, they are often portrayed as someone to inspire or pity rather than respect. To counter this lack of representation, people with disabilities and members of the disability community are turning to sources outside of traditional media programming to elevate coverage of disability issues. In honor of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Disability Rights Center – NH [(New Hampshire)] and the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire are co-hosting a free, public webinar, Disability and the Media. Panelists will discuss disability representation in the media today, and practical strategies for the audience to employ to amplify the voices of people with disabilities in both traditional and non-traditional media outlets. The Panelists: -Andrew Pulrang is a freelance writer on disability, an online activist, and a former Center for Independent Living director. -Imani Barbarin is a disability rights and inclusion activist and speaker who uses her voice and social media platforms to create conversations engaging the disability community. -Emily Ladau is a passionate disability rights activist, writer, speaker, and communications consultant. Moderator: Dan Habib, filmmaker at the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire.