Accurate, comprehensive coverage of disability issues and increasing the participation of disabled people in the production of news and information can help alleviate stigma and discrimination, as well as lead to better government policy.

Providing disabled people with trusted information in accessible formats gives them the tools to advocate for increased participation in employment and education; and can highlight issues such as domestic abuse and institutionalization. In building the capacity of individual reporters (including those with disabilities), media outlets and journalism networks to cover the perspectives and voices of persons with disabilities, our goal is to inform the public and policy-makers, promote greater accountability, and ignite conversations that change social norms and attitudes.

Guidance on disability reporting & terminology

Covers of publications on media and disability

Guidance on accessible media production

Accessibility icons - Braille, sign language, large print, closed captioning

Organizations for disabled journalists

Disability & media in the news

Examples of reporting on disability issues

Reporting made possible by support from Internews’ Inclusive Media Project

Côte d’Ivoire

Democratic Republic of Congo

Kenya

Liberia 

Tanzania

Other Articles

People to follow

  • Jackie Njagi Lidubwi: @jackielidubwi on Twitter – Changing the Disability Narrative in Media Across sub-Saharan Africa
  • Beth Haller: @Mediadisdat on Twitter | Media dis&dat blog – a database of news and information about people with disabilities, disability issues and media topics

Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs)

When reporting on disability, it is imperative to consult with and interview people with disabilities who are directly affected by the issues you are covering. Here is a partial list of DPOs around the world.

Fact Sheets

Information and data to assist on reporting on specific issues:

World map showing whether countries guarantee equality and non-discrimination for persons with disabilities

Country Reports

Refugees

Internews projects on media and disability:

Internews’ disability media projects include training on how to report on disability; training for disabled activists on staying safe online; supporting the production of radio programs, films, and apps that address disability issues; offering mentoring and equipment to disabled journalists; and holding media literacy and press relations workshops for DPOs. Below are impact stories, commentary and updates on our work with disability and media.

Webinars on Reporting on Disability

  • Reporting on Disability – Webinar #3, June 17, 2021 – focus on national and international frameworks on the rights of persons with disabilities and the role of the press in educating the public about these frameworks and their implementation.
  • Reporting on Disability – Webinar #2, June 3, 2021 – focus on terminology
  • Reporting on Disability – Webinar #1, May 20, 2021 – Jackie Lidubwi, Internews’ Project Manager for the Inclusive Media Project in Sub-Saharan Africa, introduces our series on reporting on disability (apologies: due to technical difficulties, the captions were not included in the video recording).

Press Coverage:

Stories, announcements, and resources