Media urged to highlight issues of persons with disabilities

Disability experts have called upon media professionals to intensify their efforts in highlighting the rights and issues of persons with disabilities (PwDs), urging them to play a pivotal role in raising awareness and educating the public. This appeal was made during a national webinar-cum-media workshop hosted by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), ahead of the 25th NCPEDP Helen Keller Awards.

The session aimed to encourage media to drive disability-inclusive journalism, recognising the critical role they play in shaping public perception and advocating for equal employment opportunities for PwDs. The panel featured NCPEDP Executive Director Arman Ali, former senior journalist and media educator Aarti Dhar, and Madhura Nagchoudhuri, Assistant Professor at TISS.

Highlighting the media’s responsibility in driving change, Arman Ali said “The media has been a strong ally in the disability movement and continues to report the government’s initiatives. However, it is crucial for the media to not only report but also ask questions. Disability should be part of the entire developmental narrative.”

Aarti Dhar emphasised the impact of language and ingrained stigmas in society. “We don’t even realise that discrimination has been ingrained in our language. To bring about societal change, we must first change ourselves. Sensitisation at the grassroots and state-level is essential to break these barriers,” she said.

Urging the media to lead the conversation on disability, Madhura Nagchoudhuri said, “Media as a community has the power to reshape perceptions. It’s important to start a conversation on the challenges faced by PwDs and their accomplishments. This can serve as an eye-opener for many and inspire inclusive thinking.”

The webinar also marked the introduction of the Role Model Media Award for Disability-Inclusive Journalism, one of the new categories introduced to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Helen Keller Awards. The other category is the NCPEDP Helen Keller Lifetime Achievement Award. Both categories aim to honour individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the disability movement in India.

The Helen Keller Awards, established in 1999, have recognised over 300 individuals and organisations advocating for the economic inclusion of PwDs.