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Media

Media that represents disability is something we’re passionate about at Rooted in Rights. In these pieces, you’ll learn why authentic representation is so important to making change.

Kayla Cromer in a bright floral gown

Kayla Cromer is an Autistic Actress. Autistic Girls and Women Have Been Waiting for This.

For the longest time, I’ve been disappointed that I have never seen myself on television. I mean this figuratively, of course, but based on the way autism is portrayed in mainstream media, you may be convinced I only understand and…
Selma Blair at the 2019 Oscars. She is glamorously dressed in a white, pink & white striped gown and holds a black cane.

What the Media Got Wrong About Selma Blair

If you follow pop culture at all, you’ve probably seen recent coverage about Selma Blair, an actress diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who attended the Oscars with her cane. While Blair has said some important things, much of the media…
dark-lit photo of a pair of hands holding a video game controller

Video Games and Madness: A World of Harmful Tropes

Having just recovered from another one of many depressive episodes I’ve had throughout my life, I’ve had time to reflect on my relationship to madness and reality. Being of a philosophical bent, I ruminate on these things out of habit. …
Director's slate with an accessible icon on it.

The Ableist Lens of Hollywood

Hollywood’s most recent depiction of disability is inspired by a true story, told through the lens of ableism. The Upside is a film that tells the story of an ex-convict (played by Kevin Hart) who lands a position as a …
An image of a brain made up of different colored ropes. At the back, the ropes are fraying.

Why Inspirational Memes About Mental Health Disabilities Are So Damaging

As a person with mental health disabilities, nothing makes me seethe like those who create inspirational memes that do more damage than good to the people in my community. Whenever I encounter such feel-good shibboleths, my hands tense, my breathing …
A woman wearing a black fabric blindfold.

I’m a Blind Woman. Here’s My Take on the “Bird Box Challenge.”

SPOILER ALERT: This post discusses important plot points from the movie Bird Box in detail. I’m a blind woman who has a few thoughts on Bird Box, and I hope this doesn’t get lost among the sea of memes from …
Photo of Stan Lee in a black suit and sunglasses, pointing his finger forward.

With Great Power Comes Great Accessibility – How the Death of Stan Lee Affects the Disability Community

On November 12, 2018, our cultural light was dimmed with the loss of Stan Lee. Often described in the same manner as the characters he created, the loss of the mighty, spectacular, and at times uncanny Stanley Martin Lieber will…
A pile of newspapers spread out over one another. The text is blurred and unreadable.

If You’re Writing About Disability, You Need to Read These Guidelines

Sometimes I imagine what the media’s typical coverage of disability might say if it was written about me—covering the two proms I went to with my girlfriend in high school, celebrating my ability to graduate from college after almost failing …
People in a movie theater, sitting in seats. The photo is from behind so you can only see the backs of heads.

How the Film “Wonder” is Commercializing Facial Difference

As a writer and activist, there’s no feeling quite like finding out a professor at a well known university used my work in their class to start a discussion about disfigurement and equality for individuals living with physical differences. I …