Working with the Media

Working with the media to- Dissemination is a key component of an effective knowledge translation plan. This section includes a compilation of resources — tools for working with the media, disability-oriented media outlets, and consumer stories — that may help researchers work more effectively with the media.

Working with the Media

Dissemination is a key component of an effective knowledge translation plan. This section includes a compilation of resources — tools for working with the media, advice, examples, and more — that may help researchers work more effectively with the media.

Media Tips for Researchers
This article provides researchers with tips for how to prepare for an interview with a reporter.

News Coverage of Disability Issues: Final Report for The Center for an Accessible Society (1999) by Beth A. Haller (1999).
This report surveys the media coverage of disability in the late 1990s, which it uses to inform a series of recommendations for disability reporting.

Media Toolbox
The Global Development Research Center's Media Toolbox offers tips to help researchers get the most out of the media.

Social media tips for scientists
Social Media guru Nicola Osborne explains how social media can be helpful for scientists, and offers guidelines and tips for getting started.

An Introductory Guide to Disability Language and Empowerment
This guide to breaks down the importance of empowering language for people who may be being exposed to it for the first time.

Consumer Stories in the Media

A powerful story can be influential, motivating, entertaining, educational and much more. With this area of the expo people with a variety of disabilities share their stories.

American Film Showcase: o The American Film Showcase brings contemporary American documentaries, independent fiction films, and documentary know-how to audiences around the world, offering a view of American society and culture as seen by independent filmmakers. Funded by a grant from the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and produced by the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts (SCA), the Showcase highlights the value of film in fostering understanding and cooperation, dialogue and debate. The AFS films explore diverse topics including civil rights, disabilities, social justice, sports, freedom of the press, technology and the environment.

Barbara Jordan Media Awards: o Each year the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, in conjunction with local committees throughout Texas, accepts nominations for media professionals and students who have produced material for the public which accurately and positively reports on individuals with disabilities, using People First language and respectful depictions. Nominations can be submitted by anyone, including the producer of the piece, by completing the submission form and sending it with any necessary supporting materials to the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.

Disabled-World
Disabled-World.Com is an independent Health and Disability news source that offers subject areas covering seniors and disability news, assistive device reviews, and articles on everything from helpful tips to disability sports articles.

International Disability Alliance:
The International Disability Alliance (IDA) is an alliance of eight global and six regional organisations of persons with disabilities. They advocate at the UN for a more inclusive global environment for persons with disabilities and their organisations.

The DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) Center:
This center is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education. It promotes awareness and accessibility—in both the classroom and the workplace—to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities and make our communities more vibrant, diverse, and inclusive.

MediaSmarts:
MediaSmarts is a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization for digital and media literacy. Our vision is that children and youth have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens.

Disability Oriented Media Outlets

This area of the expo includes multiple forms of media — such as magazines, videos, newspapers, and newsletters, from a wide variety of organizations and projects — that address issues surrounding disability.

Ability Magazine:
This magazine covers Health, Disability and Human Potential and is distributed by Time-Warner. Topics range from Diabetes to Spinal Cord Injury and celebrity interviews to CEO profiles, ABILITY covers the latest on Health, Environmental Protection, Assistive Technology, Employment, Sports, Travel, Universal Design, Mental Health and much more.

New Mobility:
A colorful lifestyle magazine that encourages the integration of active wheelchair users into mainstream society with articles on health, advocacy, travel, employment, relationships, recreation, media, products and more. Ninety percent of its writers live with disabilities, creating a vibrant culture of disability journalism, philosophy and advocacy within each monthly edition.

Disability Scoop:
Disability Scoop is the nation’s largest news organization devoted to covering developmental disabilities. With daily coverage of autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and more.

Access Press:
Access Press exists to promote the social inclusion and legal rights of people with disabilities by providing a forum for news, features, opinion and conversation to benefit people who are often invisible and marginalized in mainstream society.

Disabled Sports USA:
Disabled Sports USA’s mission is to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs.

The Spin:
Published quarterly, this circulation reaches approximately 4,000 people in the Spinal Cord Injury community in provincial Canada. An online PDF version is available on their website.