Disability and media education in the COVID-19 pandemic

Disability is a vital and integral part of media education—something that is underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this chapter, we explore this proposition—via a discussion of some of the profound things that have occurred in relation to disability in the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, we focus on inclusive design and media representation. Reflecting especially on media experimentation and innovation by people with disabilities in this extraordinary period, we suggest ways to heed these lessons to recast approaches to media education. We conclude with directions for rethinking media education in a more inclusive way—conceptually and in practice.