Includes bibliographical references (pages 237-244) and index.

"In the past decade, the mass media discovered disability. Yet depictions of disability have remained largely unchanged since the 1920s: Focusing almost exclusively on the medical aspect of injury or illness, the disability profile leads inevitably to an inspiring moment of "overcoming." According to Riley, this cliche plays well with a general audience, but such narratives, driven by prejudice and pity, are deeply offensive to persons with disabilities. Equally important, misguided coverage has adverse effects on crucial aspects of public policy, such as employment, social services, and health care." "Riley's inside investigation illuminates the extent of the problem while pinpointing how writers, editors, directors, producers, filmmakers, advertisers and the executives who give their marching orders go wrong, or occasionally get it right. Through a close analysis of the technical means of representation, in conjunction with the commentary of leading voices in the disability community, Riley guides future coverage to a more fair and accurate way of putting the disability story on screen or paper."--Jacket.

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