A significant and long-awaited transformation is reshaping how the Indian media portrays disability. For decades, narratives were dominated by a perspective that viewed disability primarily as a medical condition or personal tragedy. Now, that narrative is steadily pivoting towards a more inclusive and empowering framework: the social model of disability.
From Medical Ailment to Societal Barrier
The core of this shift lies in a fundamental change in perspective. The traditional medical model framed disability as an illness or defect residing within the individual, demanding treatment or a cure. The emerging social model, which is gaining rightful momentum, redefines the problem. It posits that people are disabled not by their impairments, but by societal barriers. These barriers can be physical, like inaccessible buildings and transport, or attitudinal, like prejudice and systemic exclusion.
This reframing moves the spotlight away from "fixing" the individual and onto the urgent need to dismantle obstacles created by society. Journalist and commentator L Subramani highlighted this evolving trend, noting the gradual but perceptible change in media discourse. The updated perspective, as noted, was last recorded on 01 January 2026.
The Impact of a New Narrative
This shift in media coverage has profound implications. Stories now increasingly focus on:
- Accessibility and Rights: Reporting on the need for ramps, sign language interpreters, inclusive education, and workplace accommodations.
- Achievements and Agency: Highlighting the accomplishments of persons with disabilities in various fields—sports, arts, entrepreneurship, and leadership—rather than solely stories of inspiration rooted in overcoming a personal "defect."
- Policy and Advocacy: Critically examining laws, government schemes, and their implementation, holding systems accountable for inclusion.
By adopting the social model, the media stops portraying persons with disabilities as passive objects of pity or charity. Instead, it begins to recognize them as active citizens with rights, whose full participation is hindered by external, changeable factors.
The Road Ahead for Inclusive Journalism
While the momentum is building, the shift is described as "slow," indicating there is considerable ground left to cover. True inclusion in media goes beyond just the stories told; it involves having persons with disabilities as decision-makers in newsrooms, as sources, and as experts commenting on a wide range of topics, not just disability-specific issues.
The move towards the social model in disability coverage represents a maturation of Indian journalism. It aligns media practice with the principles of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the broader global movement for disability justice. This evolution promises more accurate, respectful, and powerful storytelling that can actively contribute to building a more equitable and accessible India for all.
