Disability Stories in TV & Movies
This year, I’ve sought out more stories of and story-telling by disabled people. And I’m happy to say I’ve found some in movies and television I really enjoyed and recommend.
This image is a list I wrote out for my parents recommending some shows and movies that center the stories and voices of people with disabilities. If you are curious to watch, here is a rundown of my recommendations, including some additional ones, categorized by streaming platform where I believe it’s available:
Prime
- Sound of Metal - love the ending so much
- Champions - Farrelly Brothers movie follows their old wholesome comedy formula. However most of the cast are actual disabled performers, which we need more of!
Netflix
- Deaf U - reality show makes you forget you are watching Deaf students, a great 101 into Deaf Culture, produced by Nyle Dimarco
- Extraordinary Attorney Woo - not an autistic actress but still enjoyed this law mystery series portraying a main character navigating the world with Autism
- Crip Camp - documentary about the disability rights movement and a summer camp that brought future disability justice advocates together
- Phoenix Rising - documentary about disabled athletes training and competing in the Paralympics
- Special - this comedy is about a disabled gay man’s life navigating career, dating, friendships, and family. Sassy and hilarious dialogue. rated M for mature.
- The Reason I Jump -beautiful documentary about the experience of non-verbal autistic people
- The Light We Cannot See - the main character is a blind woman, played by a blind actress Aria Mia Loberti who auditioned just for the experience… and got the part!
- Everything Everywhere All At Once - I added this one because it is one of my new favorite movies. Disability is more of an undertone in this story. The directors/writers made the main character, played by Michelle Yeoh, a middle-aged woman with undiagnosed ADHD. Being more informed through his research about ADHD for the character, co-writer and co-director, Daniel Kwan got tested and diagnosed.
Apple+
- Still, a documentary of Michael J Fox’s life and a glimpse into his life with Parkinson’s Disease
- CODA - Not included on this list pictured, because my parents had already watched it. Excellent movie!
Additional recommendations from kind people in my network. I haven’t seen most of these so they are on my to-watch list now too.
From Verónica Mansilla:
From Krista Lane:
“I am enjoying ‘In the Dark’ (crime/mystery) so far - the lead actress is not blind but her character's blindness and how her family/friends/coworkers interact with and support her is a main plot point.'“
Mental Health Themes
As a bonus, Jane McGourty asked me if I had any recommendations for movies or TV about people with different mental health conditions. Keep in mind this is only a tiny sample of what’s out there. Here’s are the ones I recommend:
Silver Linings Playbook
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me
Modern Love: Season 1, Episode 3, Take Me As I Am, Whoever I Am - Anne Hathaway is amazing in this.
A Beautiful Mind - one thing to be aware of in watching stories like this is it can further the narrative that people with disabilities have superpowers (I’m guilty of perpetuating this in the past not realizing it is ableist), which puts unnecessary pressure on people with disabilities to have some kind of superhuman brilliance, when a lot of us are ordinary people. We need to be reassured that it’s cool to be ordinary, since that’s most of us. With that said, I still recommend this movie!
Joker - I admittedly haven’t finished it because I wasn’t in the state of mind to continue watching it at the time. It brings up how we in society treat those with mental health challenges. I will need to watch it and finish it now that I’m in a better mental health space myself!
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
This Is Us
Got other recommendations? Leave a comment on my Instagram post or send me a note.
I wanna see fiesty disabled people change the world.
-Judy Heumann
