Why Disability Journalism is Important and Helps the Disabled and Neurodivergent Community Thrive and Showcase Themselves

By Sophia Levine

Throughout the history of journalism, disabled and neurodivergent people and issues have been covered. The coverage of disability has changed drastically over the years as research on the topic has changed.

Disability journalism helps challenge negative stereotypes surrounding disabled people. Throughout history, disability coverage has been ableist and dehumanizing to disabled and neurodivergent people with pity stories about how they could not live a “normal life.” 

Disability journalism works to tell real stories with real perspectives that highlight the experience for disabled and neurodivergent people. Over the years, journalists and journalism institutions have began adding ways and Associated Press Stylebook changes to make covering disability less ableist and more accepting. 

Disability journalism has also been used for activism and policy changes. Disability journalists have highlighted a reality to a broader audience through their work the reality for disabled and neurodivergent people. Disability journalism creates a greater public awareness to both disabled and non-disabled people by highlighting the realities of a community. In recent years, disabled journalists showcased the lack of funding to special education programs, being paid below the minimum wage, and inaccessibility to public spaces.

Although coverage of the disabled community improved as research and acceptance of disabled and neurodivergent people improved, there is still work to be done. 

Non-disabled journalists can also play a role in improving coverage of the disabled and neurodivergent community by avoiding language that comes off as another pity or inspiration story. Non-disabled journalists should cover and showcase the community’s stories and realities the same way they would cover any other community. 

Disability journalism comes in many different forms. It is also used to showcase a community that has been underrepresented in the media. For example, Rochester Institute of Technology students got to highlight disabled athletes in the Special Olympics. In this interview, the Rochester Institute of Technology journalists say that they wanted to use journalism to show a community who has been underrepresented in a positive light.