Disability Representations

90210
In 90210 the character Silver is portrayed as having Bipolar Disorder. During her diagnosis she shows signs of reckless behaviour, lack of sleep and confusion. She is frustrated as she has to remain in mainstream school and carry on with her daily routine with included therapy visits and medication taking. Through showing silver like this, the director is trying to show how extreme the condition can actually be and to what extent it can affect peoples state of minds and behaviour. The way she acts would be of a typical stereotype as she shows all the signs of Bipolar Disorder as they are: Feelings of Depression, feelings of happiness and wanting to spend all your earnings and not like eating or sleeping due to the psychotic effects that the condition plays on your mind. At the beginning of her diagnosis she matches the typical stereotypes of mental disabilities by showing an atmosphere and being her worst enemy. It is shown to Mental Illness was used as this is a condition that is becoming more recognised and apparent in society now and by doing this it draws an audience in and makes them feel sympathy for her due to the extent of her condition. Her condition, when she has a way of dealing with it, does not match the 10 typical stereotypes of disability which are that they can be: Violent, evil, laughable and as a burden. She is shown as a strong, independent character but when the condition hits her, or she has missed her medication, she is seen as a weak character who is in need of a lot of extra support.

Downton Abbey
John Bates is a disabled Valet who injured his leg whilst fighting in the Boer War, this has caused him to use a cane when he walks. When he needs it, he uses a metal leg brace but this causes him discomfort so he doesn't use it as often. Due to his disability, the existing staff would like to get rid of Bates as he is seen as a liability. The Director shows him in this way to show a typical model of disability and shows obstacles being put in his way so he is struggling to proceed with his job. This is a typical stereotype as people who have physical disabilities find it hard to find a job that involves physical activity because employers would discriminate them and find them "pathetic" and "unable to participate in daily life." He is seen as a very strong individual which could show that he is fighting the stereotype. The constant discrimination does take its toll on him though and it puts a strain on him

Glee

This clip shows how Artie struggles to stand up and shows he relies on his friends and family to help him getting g up. It is clear that he is in need of extra support. He can not do anything for himself so he is incapable from anyone else's perspective. This links to the stereotype of a disability which is that they are incapable of looking after themselves due to the fact that they can not stand up without support. His character is shown as an inspired one as he has a dream about standing up to show that he wants to be just like anyone else that can walk normally and he hates the fact that he is stuck confined in a wheelchair. He is the same as anyone who is physically capable as he is still able to have ambitions and be inspired by other people despite the condition that he is in. Due to the fact that the audience are able to feel empathy for him, he is then a character that can be understood. He is a main character in this series so the Director would want to show to an audience that people with disabilities don't always have to "backgrounders" and they have capabilities in what they love to do as much as anyone.

Pretty Little Liars
In this drama, Jenna Marshall is blind and has been due to an accident that occurred between the 5 "Pretty Little Liars." Jenna has become blind due to an accident which can be a typical way a disability occurs. She is also an evil character as she purposely goes out to hurt the girls and makes conspiracies against them throughout the episodes. This is a typical stereotype for someone with a disability she is also deemed as a burden and an atmosphere surrounds her wherever she goes. These are all typical stereotypes of disabled people. The Director portrays Jenna as a very strong and independent character and fights the stereotype to show that she doesn't let people get in her way and she is still able to act like a normal individual and has the capability to be like everyone else, despite how she is and her impairment. An audience would feel a resentment and hatred towards Jenna and how she acts which fits exactly with the stereotype and shows that she can be like an other person and has the same personality traits.