Real change or more of the same? Analysing Australian media's portrayal of intellectual disability during the NDIS rollout

Abstract

Background: Through the filtering of information, the creation, and reinforcement of stereotypes, media moulds attitudes and set agendas on critical social issues including public policy and disability.Methods: This study explored Australian media representations of the care of people with intellectual disability during a crucial period in disability policy change: the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rollout (2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018). Search criteria identified 168 news stories, examined via content analysis and news framing.Results: Four major issues were identified: Roles and responsibilities of government; housing; mistreatment of persons with intellectual disability, and responsibility of care for families. Stories tended to be presented negatively, however, regional and local/community metropolitan stories were more balanced or positive compared with major metropolitan stories. Conclusion:Despite significant disability policy change, media presentations continue to reinforce stereotypes of people with intellectual disability and position the government as one continuing to fall short in critical areas of funding, safety, and support.

Perceived barriers and enablers to utilising the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme for adults with an intellectual disability and their families: A scoping review

“…The research included in this review related to people who were assessed as eligible for the NDIS. This body of research did not examine the initial process that many people face in negotiating eligibility for access to the program, which can be costly and frustrating to individuals and families (Winterbotham et al, 2023).…”

“…The research included in this review related to people who were assessed as eligible for the NDIS. This body of research did not examine the initial process that many people face in negotiating eligibility for access to the program, which can be costly and frustrating to individuals and families (Winterbotham et al, 2023). Many people are excluded from the NDIS because they have not been able to rally health professionals to write reports acceptable to bureaucrats in a timely way (for example cognitive assessments completed before the individual reaches adulthood).…”

Percepción de las organizaciones de personas con discapacidad sobre el tratamiento mediático del colectivo en espacios informativos

“…En esta línea, algunos estudios destacan que, a pesar de los cambios producidos a nivel político, la representación continúa promoviendo clichés y posicionan al sistema de gobierno desde un punto de vista crítico en cuanto a la financiación, seguridad y apoyo (Winterbotham et al, 2023).…”

“…El primer eje del estudio demostró que las organizaciones consideran que el espacio mediático dedicado a la discapacidad, a pesar de haber aumentado, sigue siendo insuficiente, con diferencias notables entre distintos tipos de discapacidad. Asimismo, denuncian que la atención mediática recibida sigue vinculada a sucesos, anécdotas o estereotipos, confirmando la permanencia de prácticas mostradas tanto en estudios realizados hace décadas (Díaz-Aledo, 2007;Vega-Fuente y Martín, 1999) como en los más recientes (Hu et al, 2023;Winterbotham et al, 2023). Los resultados también confirman las tendencias en cuanto al framing detectadas en trabajos como el de Soto-Rosales (2015), ya que persisten e incluso aumentan los titulares llamativos y sensacionalistas, recurriendo a las emociones para conmover y al estereotipo, con especial relevancia en las redes sociales.…”