<p>The aim of this study is to illuminate images and discourses, in which media describe people with disabilities. The purpose of the study will be fulfilled, by answering the following questions: Is it possible to discern categories of how people with disabilities are described in the media and is it possible to find associations to handicap models? We have chosen to focus on how media describe people with physical impairments and have made a content analyses of articles, based on the theoretic aim of this study, social constructionism, handicap models and earlier research. Underlying the analyses, are six articles from two Swedish news papers. The results of our research are divided in three categories: assumptions which are taken for granted, hidden meanings and contradicted categories. To sum up the results, we have found several categories in Media’s description of people with disabilities, and in the articles we have also found associations to handicap models. One of the assumptions which are taken for granted is that the disability/impairment defines the person. Hidden meanings are found which indicates, that people with disabilities doesn’t share the same social position as other groups. The articles used in this study are characterised by contradicted categories, the most common is where deviations are compared with what is considered to be normal, by the prevailing discourses. The articles also show associations to the social and the individual model.</p><p> </p>

The aim of this study is to illuminate images and discourses, in which media describe people with disabilities. The purpose of the study will be fulfilled, by answering the following questions: Is it possible to discern categories of how people with disabilities are described in the media and is it possible to find associations to handicap models? We have chosen to focus on how media describe people with physical impairments and have made a content analyses of articles, based on the theoretic aim of this study, social constructionism, handicap models and earlier research. Underlying the analyses, are six articles from two Swedish news papers. The results of our research are divided in three categories: assumptions which are taken for granted, hidden meanings and contradicted categories. To sum up the results, we have found several categories in Media’s description of people with disabilities, and in the articles we have also found associations to handicap models. One of the assumptions which are taken for granted is that the disability/impairment defines the person. Hidden meanings are found which indicates, that people with disabilities doesn’t share the same social position as other groups. The articles used in this study are characterised by contradicted categories, the most common is where deviations are compared with what is considered to be normal, by the prevailing discourses. The articles also show associations to the social and the individual model.