Media Representations of the Disabled Identity in Contemporary Society

The essay examines how cinema and audiovisual media shape cultural perceptions of disability. It outlines the shift from traditional, drama‑based portrayals rooted in the medical model to more diverse and inclusive representations across genres such as comedy, action, fantasy, and thriller. Films like Intouchables, Coda, Sound of Metal, Champions, and Italian works including Blanca, Volare, and Soldini’s films illustrate this change. Cinema is described as both a mirror and a regulator of society, influencing how disability is understood and lived. Contemporary narratives increasingly promote dignity, inclusion, and the dismantling of prejudice, echoing Pope Francis’s call for a more just and welcoming society.