Note that a number of blog links, media reports, and the comments therein may contain questionable language and/or clear descriptions of abuse.

A comment on Meloukhia’s post on Glee’s “Hairography” episode:

Coming from a hard-of-hearing family, I was excited to see the deaf choir perform! I thought about going to find my little sister, who is profoundly deaf. As it is, I didn’t have to bother getting up. Why? Because the episode wasn’t closed captioned.

I’ll let that sink in. Their oh-so-inclusive episode about some Very Special Disabilities…was unwatchable for people with the exact disability being discussed.

Some of you may be wondering when we’re going to write about Glee, since the midseason finale just aired. Rest assured that Anna and meloukhia are currently working on a monster post (in several parts!) which will hopefully go up in a few days.

Fat Nutritionist: Stairway to Health, or, Let’s Judge People for Not Taking the Stairs.

The life in downtown Toronto is just plain hard on me, and clearly, the stairs are not helping my heart. So I try to make it at least a little easier on myself by taking an elevator or escalator when convenient. I like to think of this as having compassion for my limitations, though I admit, I am often embarrassed to be standing by the elevator — even though I am registered as disabled at my school, and have to wear special orthotics in my shoes and blah blah blah. I am still embarrassed because I know what people must be thinking of me — the fat lady taking the elevator instead of the stairs.

Lennard Davis in the Huffington Post: “Let Actors with Disabilities Play Characters with Disabilities” via Media dis&dat:

There is a very high frequency of Oscar winning films that depict disability, but very few of those clutching the golden statues are people with disabilities.

There is a standard response on the part of Hollywood and Broadway when this issue is raised. The producers will say that they “tried” (if they tried at all) to use disabled performers but that they couldn’t find anyone good enough to play the part.

BBC: Bollywood shines spotlight on health disorders

Amol Gupte, writer of Taare Zameen Par, said he made the film primarily “to take a re-look at parenting”. […]

Mr Gupte, who says he makes films for “social change and sensitisation”, maintains dyslexia is not a disability but a neurological difference. “It is called the gift of dyslexia. Problems are not in children. Problems are in the system.

Leader Messenger: Residents block disabled care home

A group of Hope Valley residents is fighting a plan to convert the old Tolley winery into a home for people with severe physical disabilities.

In submissions to Gully Council, residents say SA Care’s bid to house six disabled people at the John Ramsay Cct property would attract criminals seeking drugs, increase traffic, noise and parking problems, and bring down their property values.[…]

In their submission to the council, Mr and Mrs Evans wrote: “The Pedare Estate is a quiet residential estate and let’s not upset (its) character and tranquility. The estate has one entrance/exit and is not designed for a commercial venture.”

They also said the clients of a home for the disabled would likely require medication, which could attract criminals to the area seeking drugs.

Sydney Morning Herald: Qantas refused guide dog and stranded blind woman

Qantas left a blind woman distressed and stranded interstate at night because the airline would not allow her guide dog on a flight.

Qantas is not alone. Tiger Airways two days earlier baulked at letting the same woman fly with her guide dog.

CBS Chicago: Family Sues Over Alleged Police Beating Of Teen

A Chicago family wants justice.

They claim a Chicago police officer burst into their family-owned restaurant and beat their son bloody, despite being told that the teen has autism and special needs.