Abstract
PRIN 2022 PNRR Project: 'dis-ABILITY!': Challenging the stigma of disability by altering the media representation of the Paralympic Games The 'dis-ABILITY!' project innovatively seeks to challenge the stigma associated with disability by directly influencing the media representation of the Paralympic Games. This initiative stems from the observation that, despite millions of people with disabilities residing in Europe and Italy, their visibility in mass media remains limited and often distorted, perpetuating negative stereotypes. The Paralympic Games represent one of the rare opportunities for positive and empowering portrayals; therefore, this project will directly amplify the voices of Paralympic athletes, exploring their perceptions and experiences regarding how their image is conveyed. This will inform an understanding of how sport and disability can be better represented to promote a more positive portrayal. The ultimate objective aligns with the European Disability Strategy and the principle of "self-determination," recognizing the right of persons with disabilities to define their own representation. Through an evidence-based, three-step approach, this research will provide timely and valuable educational and training resources aimed at promoting a non-discriminatory, inclusive, and empowering portrayal of disability. These resources will target media professionals, journalists, Paralympic athletes, and members of the disability community. The core of our study represents an interdisciplinary bridge between the sociology of sport, media history, and disability studies (Research Unit 1 - University of Bologna), and adapted sport studies along with traditional and digital social research methodologies (Research Unit 2 - University of Salerno). This interdisciplinary collaboration will facilitate addressing intersectionality, the complexity of stigma, and the multiple identities faced by persons with disabilities, who are often subject to cumulative forms of discrimination. Adopting a participatory approach, we will co-create, alongside persons with disabilities and stakeholders, an innovative and transferable output: an open-access digital e-learning content. This tool will be utilized by communication professionals, students, and the general public to foster awareness and acquire new competencies, thereby facilitating a shift in communication practices and contributing to a more equitable and respectful narrative of persons with disabilities. This outcome will not only ensure a significant societal impact, facilitating the implementation in Italy of the European Disability Strategy 2021-2030, but will also lay the groundwork for future initiatives related to major disability Paralympic sport mega-events such as Milano-Cortina 2026 and Los Angeles 2028.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Athanasios Pappous
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Qualità della Vita
Coordinatore:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Contributo totale di progetto: Euro (EUR) 260.818,00
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 169.040,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
30/11/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
