Winter 2003 articles:

1. When Stereotypes Tell the Story by Jack A. Nelson
2. From the Executive Director
3. Seven Ways to Support NCDJ
4. Tips for Journalists...
5. Tips for Journalists... Interviewing People with Disabilities
6. Tips for Journalists... Event Coverage
7. Tips for Journalists... Standard Etiquette
8. NCDJ Launches First Membership Campaign
9. Five Reasons to Become a Member
10. Who We Are
11. Thanks and Appreciation to our Donors

NCDJ's Mission

National Center on Disability and Journalism (NCDJ) is an independent, impartial journalism organization. Our mission is to educate journalists and educators about disability reporting issues in order to produce more accurate, fair and diverse news reporting. The mission is realized through research, development and distribution of educational resources.

Article One:

When Stereotypes Tell the Story
By Jack A. Nelson
Like everyone else, journalists are often influenced by the stereotypes they see in popular media images. Sometimes these are then subconsciously reflected when journalists write about disability or do not think to include disability in a relevant story. Consider how these seven stereotypes may affect reporting:

1. Pitiable and Pathetic. The most obvious sources of this one is the omnipresent fund-raising telethon. These popular tearjerkers use major Hollywood talent to perpetuate the image of those with disabilities as objects of pity. Disabled people are depicted as childlike or incompetent and as a drain on taxpayers.

2."Super-Crip." TV and movie dramas often depict the heartwarming struggle of a like-able person facing the trauma of disability. Through great courage, stamina, and determination, the person either triumphs or heroically succumbs. His or her actions are inspirational and often superhuman. This leaves others with disabilities somehow feeling inadequate, even though they may be productive members of society.

3. Sinister, Evil and Criminal. The image of a threatening, evil character with a prominent disability has been with us for centuries. From the humpbacked witch in "Hansel and Gretel" to Dr. Strangelove, people with obvious differences (read: disabilities) are stigmatized. That is, their disability is used to suggest that they are morally deficient.

4. Better Off Dead. At times the media suggest that anyone with a serious physical impairment is incapable of a fulfilling life and would be better off dead. Dramas such as "Whose Life Is It,Anyway?" portray quadriplegics as longing for assisted suicide because they find life unbearable. A subtext implies an exorbitant expense in keeping people alive who would be better off dead.

5. Maladjusted. People with disabilities are often depicted as bitter and self-pitying. Only when a friend or family member insists that one must "buck up" and take control of his or her life, does one change. Such stories imply that people with disabilities will only be okay when they over-come their bitterness and learn to accept themselves. Rarely is any mention made of social prejudices that contribute to the problem.

6. A Burden. This stereotype implies that those with disabilities need to be taken care of by "normal people." The message is that this burden is difficult to bear and ought to be avoided. Portraying those with disabilities as a burden to family, friends, and society can dehumanize them.

7. Unable to Live a Successful Life. The media usually fail to portray those with limitations as able to live a full and happy life. Instead, they paint those with disabilities as stigmatized by their disability and unworthy of attention. Rarely, at least until recently, have they been shown to be useful and happy members of society- workers, family members, lovers, teachers, or students.

With these stereotypes in mind, journalists might take a second look at how their copy portrays disability. What is most often missing is the fact that most disabled people are able to live rich and full lives in which a disability is an incidental fact, not a tragedy. The task is to show real people facing real problems and developing real answers. And in that realm there are countless stories of interest to a general audience.

Jack Nelson is an emeritus professor of journalism at Brigham Young University. He is the editor of The Disabled, The Media, and The Information Age (Greenwood, 1995). Professor Nelson is an outdoor writer and novelist living in Provo, Utah. He has been a paraplegic since age 17. Professor Nelson can be reached at jackandpat@hotmail.com.

End of First Article

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Second Article:

From the Executive Director

Another year has passed, creating the opportunity to reflect on 2003 and set goals for 2004.

Board Expansion
We are pleased to announce two new members of the board of directors. Both Lee Anne Peck and Sam Sternlight will contribute their invaluable expertise to NCDJ. Lee Anne Peck is assistant professor of journalism, with a specialization in media ethics, at the University of Northern Colorado. She has been a print journalist for over 25 years, working in newsrooms and as a freelancer. Sam Sternlight is managing director of Hummingbird Capital Partners. During the last 11 years he has worked primarily in the area of international media and telecommunications. He has an MBA in finance from the London Business School.

Providing Services
We provide guest lectures to university print and broadcast journalism courses and give students information to better report on disability issues. Our mentorship program helps students and professional journalists with changing disabilities, creating opportunities that will enable them to continue the jobs they love. Our updated style guide will be online beginning in 2004 and will include new entries related to "mental retardation" and "intellectual disabilities" as a tool for journalists to increase accuracy in their reporting.

2004
While maintaining and expanding our services, we also expect to develop more journalism curricula. We are planning our first event, to be scheduled in the fall. Look for more details over the next several months. Of course, with this newsletter we have also rolled out our membership program. Become a member and get involved!

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Article Three:
Seven Ways to Support NCDJ

1. Become a member
2. Employer matching fund
3. Contribute money
4. Donate stock
5. Planned giving
6. Donate a vehicle
7. Shop at Cole Hardware in San Francisco

Cole Hardware in San Francisco will donate 10% of your purchase to NCDJ. No extra cost to you; just provide our account number: 944.

Questions? Contact us directly: voice: 415-291-0868 or email ncdj@ncdj.org.

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Article Four:
Tips for Journalists
Below are some tips for interviewing people with disabilities or covering an event. For additional tips,visit our tips page on our Web site at www.ncdj.org/tips.html.

Best Tip: Ask the expert – the person you are interviewing.

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Article Five:
Tips for Journalists - Interviewing People with Disabilities

Before the Interview
Ask if specific accommodations are required (wheelchair access, interpreter, extended time, etc.)

Setting up the Interview
Place yourself, the interviewee, and the camera all at the interviewee's eye level. If the person has a hearing loss, be sure to face the light so he or she can see your lips when you speak.

During the Interview
Speak in a relaxed tone; avoid speaking faster, slower, softer, or louder than usual.

Maintain eye contact with the interviewee and speak directly to him or her rather than to the interpreter or companion.

Identify yourself to a person with a visual impairment before the interview. When conversing in a group, identify each person speaking throughout the interview. Act as if it were a conference call where no one can see who is speaking.

Be patient and wait for the person to finish if they have difficulty speaking. Ask for clarification.

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Article Six:

Tips for Journalists... Event Coverage

Before the Event
Position yourself and the camera so that you are not blocking an interpreter.

Setting up the Event
Make sure your equipment is not blocking wheelchair access.

During the Event
Avoid walking in front of or blocking anyone using a communication aid such as an interpreter or captioning on a screen. Blocking interpreter communication is like pulling the plug on a public address system.

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End of Article Six
 
Article Seven:
Tips for Journalists... Standard Etiquette

1. Focus on the person, not the disability.
2. Do not assume you need to help the person. Ask first.
3. Do not lean on a person's wheelchair or any other assistive device, as it is a part of their personal body space.
4. Do not make eye contact, pet, praise, or talk to service animals. It distracts them from working.

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Article Eight:

NCDJ Launches First Membership Campaign

Help NCDJ develop and maintain its services for journalists, students and educators.

BECOME A MEMBER!
Your membership contribution will enable us to expand our style guide, to produce more tip sheets and to create journalism curricula. These are resources you use on the job and in the classroom. By becoming a member you will help us to maintain our commitment to increasing accurate, fair, and diverse news reporting.

While NCDJ does not require payment for use of our materials, your voluntary membership will make it possible for us to offer and update these quality resources. NCDJ depends on your contributions in order to continue to provide its valuable services.

How to Join
Fill out the enclosed yellow form, select the appropriate membership category, and return it with your contribution in the envelope provided. You will receive an official NCDJ membership card and have the satisfaction of knowing that your contribution is making a difference.

Show your support by becoming a member of NCDJ. Join today!
NCDJ does not share your contact information with other organizations or businesses.

Questions?

Phone: (415) 291-0868 E-mail: ncdj@ncdj.org

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Article Nine:
Five Reasons to Become a Member

1. Support the update and expansion of useful resources like our disability style guide and tips sheets.

2. Support continued development of journalism school curricula that train future journalists.

3. Support fellow journalists with disabilities through our mentorship program.

4. Support NCDJ 's mission as an independent, impartial journalism education organization that educates about disability reporting issues in order to produce more accurate, fair and diverse news reporting.

5. Know that your membership helps us to produce resources to assist you with more accurate reporting.

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Who We Are

Board of Directors
Michelle A. Wolf, President. Professor of Broadcast & Electronic Communication
Arts, San Francisco State University

Phil Kipper, Secretary/Treasurer.
Dept. Chair & Professor of Broadcast & Electronic Communication Arts, San Francisco State University

Suzanne C. Levine, Founder, Board Member. M.A., Anthropology

Lee Anne Peck, Board Member. Assistant Professor of Journalism, University of
Northern Colorado

Sam Sternlight, Board Member. Managing Director, Hummingbird Capital Partners, MBA

Advisory Board

Lisa A. Goldstein, Freelance Journalist

Beth Haller, Assistant Professor of Journalism, Towson University

John Hewitt, Professor of Broadcast & Electronic Communication Arts, San
Francisco State University

Sally Lehrman, Reporter on medical technology and health issues

Austin Long-Scott, Professor of Journalism, San Francisco State University

Jack Nelson, Professor of Journalism, Retired, Brigham Young University

Anna Romero, Professor, Missouri School of Journalism, University of Missouri in Columbia, MO.

Anita Silvers, Professor of Philosophy, San Francisco State University

Karen Solomon, Freelance Writer

John Williams, Writer and Columnist

Penny Williams, Freelance Editor

Executive Director
Suzanne C. Levine
End of Who We Are
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Thanks and Appreciation

October 2002 - September 2003

Individual Donations

Foundations
Levine-Lent Family Foundation, Kirsch Foundation and
The D & B FoundationMatching Gift Program

Corporate
Green’s Sports Bar
SAE Communications

In-Kind
American Conservatory Theater
Asian Art Museum
California Academy of Sciences
Cole Hardware
Cookies by Design
Marin Theatre Company
Peet’s Coffee & Tea
Ravenswood Winery
San Francisco Opera

Volunteers Interns:
Michelle Griesgraber, Programs
Megan O’Neil, Grant Research
Darci Palmquist, Content

Office:
Livia Ching
Karen Solomon

Raffle:
Jean Lee
Alyssa Morrisey
Raffle Ticket Design:
Randall Boszhardt

Web Services:
David Davtian at
www.e5interactive.com
Paul Goldman

Newsletter:
Lisa A. Goldstein
Sally Lehrman
Erika Nanes

End of Newsletter - Text version Winter 2003

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