*** LOG OPENED: Wed Sep 10 18:00:13 1997 --- Participants: Disabled (disabled@lawgiver.megacity.org) HandiBot (disabled@trantor.student.utwente.nl) ChanServ (nanook@eskimo.com) Pei phoenyxx DopeHat (khodgdon@ionet.net) Mimi (mimi@lino.com) CincyKid (AMCgroup@support-group.com) Shashone Raven_ Char2 Lokee Mooooooo (dse@pacific.net) --- I spend a lot o time here * phoenyxx as is wondering how much rope to get when the local UPN station goes to WB test Raven: what's been interesting is that most disabled persons I've met are really cool about advice, and most AB people are really cool. but I've met professionals in a support role that are really cold and stand-offish about it. ...and even a few disabled persons that are hostile to other disabled persons! WEIRD! :-) perfect example, Phoenix, Mimi speaks freely to Albertino about disabled sex raven: oh really? :-) logging is on *** coral` has joined #disabled spoke I'm too shy to talk about just asking someone on a date! Ok, everyone, tonight's meeting is on Disability in the Media yes, disability in the media...best example of that is in San Antonio, Texas, USA, on cable channel 20.. a lot of people seek out the disabled because they're generally unbiased there is this cool show about UFOs and space..... he he he :-) As Carly is not here tonight, I will be asking the questions, so now's your chance to get out while you can! You've been forewarned ;o) * Mooooooo is a very opinionated gimp isn't there a disabled Senator? Do you think that the media tries to hide or avoid the subject of disabilities? oops :o) Raven: yeah. I have a good friend, she's in a chair too, and she's really helpful :-) I dont think so i think they try to agrandize it But are there any current TV shows on the big 3 that feature disabled actors? how so, Daniel? I think, they utilize the disabled when it seems fit to do so like being disabled makes you better than you really are because 'you're special' what's he doing? Raven, would you care to elaborate? so, you choose to segregate from the public? Lokee, the only disabled person I ever saw was 'Handi Man' on 'In Living Color' I've suspected that it varies depending on the program...some shows play up a disabled character, others are casual about it. Which media are we talking about? Tv shows, news , movies or ? Moooo: hit it on the head... any, John All of them, actually How about Corky the fellow with Downs? well, whenever there's a public election, it seems that handicaped people/issues tend to emerge, and dissipate afterwards I forgot about Corky Can't think of the name of the show that was an excellent show Yes, I remember Corky too Life goes on There's a reporter on NBC/MSNBC who's in a chair. He's portrayed positively isn't he? yeah, that was a good show :o) life goes on Yes, I think so We are now seeing people in chairs in advertising I think it was very accurate that leads to my next question... which ads? I see more nowadays too Do you think that disabled people are portrayed accurately on television? Sears catalogs for one, Daniel but you don't have them anymore in the US k-marts or walmarts have them often I can't think of anything specifically just now. I am in Canada.Maybe the re areads for local stores that are different demeaning or that they are miraculously cured, poppycock! Ive never seen them there's always a couple of disabled models in the catalogs All in chairs? Mimi: hmmm... again it seems to vary from show to show. usually, yeah yes , now that you mention it what have you seen, then, Simon? but I do resent the depiction of someone becoming disabled and going from jerk to saint overnight. I guess, I think that most are insulting none with metal cruches or with CP some kids with crutches Mimi: on the program 'ER', one of the doctors is disabled...not the actress for real, but that character never waves it around. How about the telephone guy the blind one I like her and his dog And any ads for arthritis (motrin, tylenol etc) feature people that are perfectly mobile do you think she's portrayed accurately? very... true Lokee No distorted joints etc Mimi: yes I do...she's not making her condition her sole identity. she downplays her disability by focusing/honing her skills Raven:exactly! Do you think that's rare in TV then? yes I think its rare I feel they are pitied Mimi: well, I'd say yes. See above me 'jerk to saint' remark What do you usually see? but I don't know if it offends me i dont think it does people in chairs struggeling ...what's happened to me before is that someone actually assumed I was a shallow person prior to the chair...like any niceness, tolerance, or sensitivity wasn't in me before the chair. NOT TRUE. cruth-users being satirized Listen, folks. I need to go. (someone at the door. ) Will join again another time *** Lokee has left #disabled yep, thats what I was saying before If you had the power to change the way the disabled are portrayed on television or in the movies, what would you do? it would be a non issue how so, Daniel? no attempt to explain the condition but Iadmire the deaf lawyer bye they see you as having a 'plastic' personality? or that guy on Sliders that time the computer geek in the chair just be who that person is *** coral` has left irc (Read error to coral` ppp-55.spocom.com]: EOF from client) oh no not again! I knew it! netsplit. hello? i'm here ok, lag then :-) I think so lag for sure its gone Where were we? I'd run for Emperor of the world lolol If you had the power to change the way the disabled are portrayed on television or in the movies, what would you do? that's where we were :o) :-) Raven: lets see, make it a crime to depict the disabled improperly :-) a handicaped hero would be nice Daniel says he would make it a non-issue, does anyone agree or disagree? 'tay I liked Handi Man why, Raven? seriously, to change things, show a disabled person doing something interesting and realistic. I somewhat disagree Dan for example: a show about space missions. A disabled person as a shuttle pilot might not work, but make the disabled person explain, please, Raven :o) how so? the head of mission control, or the engineer in charge. Tough question, people are varied, AB or not because then the public would see us a able instead of disabled show various types of disabilities. Raven: yes. adaptation will have to be an issue ...show a disabled person having the same bad day that everyone else has sometimes. an accurate portrayal of the acts of accomodating the disabled experience instead of simply someone successfuly adapted too many people think we are totally immune to problems...like we are SO easygoing. there was Ironside that's a part of the whole issue hello again Keith! :o) Ironside was a farce though I've had mean-days! Raven: me too! the boat? Ironside was an old police show from the 60's. I've not seen it :-) sorry Dan I only know about it. he was in a wheelchair what are we talking bout he was a para, wasn't he? got shot in the back then??!! yep WOW!!! *** AmyWonder has joined #Disabled something I want to bring up... Keith: If you had the power to change the way the disabled are portrayed on television, what would you do differently? what's that simon? Hello Amywonder! :o) ...something I've had happen about my chair being seen on my TV show here... AMy!!! families hello Power-positions ...some people have seen me in the chair and when I've run outrageous skits or music videos, I love to stand out the reaction from some people is that they're more offended that someone in a wheelchair could think of such crass or violent things.... not offended by the material itself. bully, I don't care I've run into the bad stereotype of how we're supposed to be so nice all the time. They've seen that on TV. I'm getting a tatoo on my arm my ears are pierced that's one thing I want to see eliminated from TV. the stereotyping. Raven: cool! I've an ear-cuff OK, next question: good simon Do you think that the disabled are portrayed accurately in the news? a florecent pink chair-pack oops, sorry Simon, we can continue that if you want Raven: neat! show up on satellite pics. how so? Mimi: no that's ok. huh? In the news..as the subject of reports or as reporters? raven: I mean pink is bright. I like pink as the subject of reports...we'll get to the other in a minute we have a handicaped reporter, but I think that he's token Most news coverage is about discrimation against disabled.. Mimi: local news here in San Antonio is notorious for showing the disabled as always getting picked on by the system. It's bogus. instead of acheivements they did a good job on Dateline on TV DopeHat: good Dateline last night. didn't see it I thougt so too that guy in a chair on NBC dateline did a 1 hr. show on the disabled last night yes for those of us who didn't see it, would you mind telling us about Dateline? Char2: yes but it was 23 hours too short. i thought he did a good job what was the report about? what issues did they bring up? he brought out many of the problems i have had to deal with The report was about how people are still getting away with not complying with ADA. Discrimination agains t disabled.. that too. used two people for job interviews and searching for housing.. one AB and one in a chair.. finding jobs,housing ,and public access hidden camera , you can guess the results, you know who got the job yep It was the blatant denial that amazed me after they where caught on tape no kidding...that's what got me...very open about denial. what they need to get into is how some advocates sanction the discrimination they're supposed to work to stop. at least the one's I've dealt with. what was the job description? Sales mostly.. what kind of sales? the disabled person was given more experience in his qualifications.. people in chairs are told , if they can't get into a public building than go to a buliding that you can get into had done the job in the past but was overlooked what kind of sales? thats not freedom I not surprised at the blatant deenail telemarketing was one, I can't recall the others someone help me out telephone sales oh yeah, one was an uppity glassware shop guy had a heart attack when he seen the person in the chair moble phone sales what kind of voice did the telemarketing applicant have? AmyWonder: I met a woman in a wheelchair who's a job placement counselor who me that her agency gets disabled persons into clerical work for the state... on tv it was good because she says that's all the work they'll be able to get. clerical work is ideal for most ping me Moooo: do I give a rat's ass? It's not ideal for me or for alot of people. clerical sucks. The thing was this guy had more qualifications, more experience but wasn't chosen *** turbokev has joined #disabled I said its ideal, I did not say manditory Kevin :o) *** turbokev has left irc (Leaving) not even in this state Ha! thanx Mooooo: ok, sorry, but I resent feeling like someone was steering me away from what I want to do. this leads into my next quesion on disability in the media... *** bond-d has joined #disabled o you think someone with a disability would be treated fairly when rying to begin a career in the entertainment business? that's DO you think... *** Hghlndr has joined #disabled nope no and I wouldn't expect it either why not? Mooooooo: why? no because most entertainment is about mainstream sex appeal, and the disabled are not considered to have that for the most part i think its a crock but its a fact sad but true- sterotype 7I've seen some pretty disabled Moooooo: but just because it happens it doesn't make it ok or something we have to 'just deal with'. raven: me too. *** HandiBot has left #Disabled (netsplit) ....my friend from the college who's in a chair...I've asked her out a few times :-) chair or no chair :-) You have no choice but to 'deal with it' unless you affect a change in peoples hearts and minds I enjoy talking with her. icecastles was a good example of determination Moooooo: so something has to be done.... but than again no one in the entertainment industy is&1 did she go? *** Hghlndr has left irc (Ping timeout for Hghlndr 171-29-42.ipt.aol.com]) *** nate__ has joined #disabled so do soemthing :o) raven: well, she and I met for lunch quite a bit. No official dates though :-) hay all hello nate hi nate Mooooo: that is what I am doing on my show although it's in small way. friendship is important, though I make sure people see me hosting and producing my show. The chair comes second, and they see there's a real person there. good :o) anyone interested in this issue might want to check out the model agency ShotModels at http://www.shotmodels.com/ Raven: yeah. Another woman friend met me when she saw me on TV...she saw the chair but wanted to meet me anyway. we're good friends now :-) great!! Should disabled entertainers keep their disabilities hidden if at all possible? I just keep going to auditions NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *** nate__ has left irc (Killed (hub.eskimo.com (lorien.ml.org <- services2.newnet.net 204.122.16.48] (older nick overruled)))) Mimi: no. they should do what I try to do, just act natural. *** nate__-- has joined #disabled Gary Burgogh did Radar from M.A.S.H. I make my program and my work stand on its own. n oway and a good job of it too Dan he only has 3 fingers on his left hand what's his disability? THE CHAUR WILL catalyst a feeling of capability oh, wow, I never knew that chair lol That's what i said Mimi!! *** Char2 has left #Disabled Raven: yeah it's cool. I told her that the guy she's seeing is really lucky :-) *** bond-d has left #disabled great, but not you? *** nate__-- is now known as nate__ I think the media ' uses ' the disabled Raven: no, but she and I are still good friends, and that to me means I still have a good chance of meeting someone who'll not mind the chair/ . hello nate :o) to their advantage how, John? hay mimi :-) Raven: :-) To show need for a cause, or to boost ratings friend are really important to me, right now CincyKid: no kidding. Pardon me for sounding crass but I can't stand the 'feel-good' stuff they try to pull. sure, most times disabled are only paraded when they are either bitching or 'being special', just like christians are only shown when one is a lunatic committing a crime I agree for the most part very true, Daniel Moooooo: very true! someone one kind of disability is made to look more fashionable that others! But as Daniel said, I doubt if any of this will change I halfway agree I think most TV shows suck in general, the boob tube * Mimi agrees with John :o) CincyKid: me too. I watch my tapes and select regular shows. And the shows nowadays are pathetic I watch alot of Discovery and Learning Channel. :-) Would you buy an album from a disabled recording artist, even if it wasn't the type of music you normally listen to? Am I rude by saying that I'm greatly offended by the publicity that Christopher Reeve attracts? Why or why not? *** Lao-tzu has joined #disabled like Joni Erikson? no It would have to be something I like no, why is that Raven? Raven: hate to say it but I get the same feeling. no disrespect intended. sorry I'm late no he's not the only darn one!! Heya Han :o) Han :o) Mimi: music from a disabled artist? if it's a type of music I like anyway, sure I'd buy the CD to check it out. only if i like the music Joni Erikson is a christian singer in a wheelchair Who here has been to the 'Van Gogh' web site? i would if i liked the music I might be convinced to at least give it a listen even if I hadn't heard of them before. I cannot stand Reeves attiude! you know music may be the only area with the least discrimination against disabled i have once 'Van Gogh' is cool I have, Daniel they're all para's raven: about reeve, again I hate to sound so harsh but yeah, I feel the same way. I really try to understand but he's not the only one. but I've never heard their music Van used to come here before he started touring Excellent music Thank you, I feel better knowing cool :o) *** rowdie^ has joined #Disabled we should have him on as a special guest :o) hello rowdie :o) yea mimi you can download music clips from their web site hi mimi Van Gogh? or the elected representative of the disabled Van Gogh Raven: I alway felt bad feeling so harsh about the way the media hypes Reeve. because I'm not so harsh most of the time. *** Pyro has joined #disabled Van Gogh? who is Van Gogh? wb Jeff :o) not at all what i thought it would be like.. i thought it had gone stupid 'Van Gogh' is a band http://www.mindspring.com/~vangogh/ i did to Van Gogh (The Band) Rock that Rolls! :o) all are in chairs lol cool...what sort of music do they play? and their music is good? rock/pop i like it have they ever had any chart hits? email MTV so they will show a video dunno i think they have a video clip on their page too There's a group in Vancouver BC called Spinal Chord -- pretty cool too Raven: better way to get eMpTyV to play the right music is to park a Ryder truck out front..... :-) http://www.mindspring.com/~vangogh/ check it out :o)