Television Programming and Disability

Abstract

Determining the nature of television programming during prime time in 1976 as it relates to the depiction of disability was the purpose of this study. Two judges read program descriptions, each being responsible for six months of the programming year. Both judges held graduate degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling and have professional experience in work with various disabilities. Chi-square analyses were performed on network, program type, disability, days of the week, and months of the year. Significant results at p < .01 are reported for network, program type, and disability. The largest frequency of disability-related programs were presented by the Public Broadcasting Service and were news documentaries. Mental illness was depicted most frequently by the private networks, and the largest portion of programming depicting disability is of a dramatized or comedic nature. There is a need for educating viewers on the realities of disability along with entertainment.