ABSTRACT
The two underlying themes of representation and access have formed the backbone of the book, particularly in relation to the shift to digitalisation and online television content. Within this, three intersecting dynamics were considered. Firstly, the diversity arising via prestige television – whereby disabled characters were introduced in popular programming and allowed to change and grow across several episodes or seasons, thus elevating the dramatic limitations previously imposed on disabled characters who were represented in stereotypical ways – saw a marked change in representation. Secondly, television began to overflow off the television into online forums, shifting the definition of viewing beyond the moment of screening to also include conversations with others online, thereby opening up discussions regarding both representation and access. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the notion of web capable devices to watch television became a central part of the project as everyone, not just the disabled, became able to personalise, and therefore improve, their television access.
