As we watched “Handy Manny” on Disney Junior the other day, I noticed there were and in the past have been a few episodes that had supporting disabled characters in the show. Whether it’s the person walking down the street with their guide dog or the person who needed a ramp to go play basketball in the gym with the other kids, Disney Junior seems to be moving with the times. I know that it’s a bilingual show, which is great too, but it also seems to come with an underlying benefit for others too.
I know in the past, “Sesame Street” has always tried to be an inclusive show, even when I was younger, which like I’ve said before, you didn’t see back then that often. The importance is that the more exposure disabled people get in the media that targets younger children and kids, it seems to me, the more acceptance of diverse groups can be forged in the future.
This type of exposure gives way to the possibility of less bullying in schools and different environments too. One result of this could be that the issue of disability won’t be so rare when our kids meet in school, or anywhere else. If you’ve read my earlier posts, just like with “Dolls for Downs”(posted April 6, 2013), the fact that these characters are being shown to younger people also gives them and their families a way in which to discuss the topic of disability. I know that I’ve been in the store sometimes and kids that are 6 or 7 years old will be staring at me and try to ask a question. When I stop and encourage them to ask, it seems like their parent is more afraid than the child is to ask. Maybe if children see kids with different limitations in their cartoons, they may even be able to help their mom or dad not be so apprehensive about approaching the subject too.
What benefits might come from more media exposure of different disabilities?
Thanks for reading..
cr