Inspiring or Perpetuating Stereotypes?: The Complicated Case of Disability as Inspiration

This research looks at how inspirational narratives that feature disability, also known as "inspiration porn", are interpreted by disabled and non-disabled audiences. The project uses We're The Superhumans, a British infomercial for the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, as its case study. This research is informed by social science research on disability, critical media studies literature, as well as government documents and official reports. Qualitative data were gathered through focus groups with disabled and non-disabled participants, as well as through comments posted on the infomercial's YouTube video and on Twitter, and through media coverage. The results of the study show that reactions to inspirational narratives are not uniform among disabled and non-disabled audiences and that negative perceptions of disability persist. This study provides valuable insight regarding the nuances and complexities surrounding inspiration porn and social attitudes towards disability.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communication

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Cameron, Leah Nicole

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2018 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2018-13329

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/38861