Madam, - I write to you to ask if you or any of your readers have noticed a common factor in the Irish media coverage of the Special Olympics. The common factor is that the vast majority of the pictures in the press of Special Olympians have been of people with Down's Syndrome, when in fact this is merely one of many disorders that cover the spectrum of intellectual disabilities (formerly known as mental handicap). I would add that this is also an odd feature of health board publications in this area.
I don't blame the media for this bias and would like to commend them on the support they are giving to the games, and the platform they are providing to the athletes; however, it would be nice to have this issue addressed and explained.
I understand that Down's provides the media with a highly distinguishable image and thus symbol to easily grasp the attention of readers; however, it would be nice to find a greater substance to the style of current media presentations. There are many disorders, some of which are more common than we realise, that I feel the media could help educate the public about, especially at a time when interests would be at their highest - for good reasons.
There is still some misunderstanding surrounding the area of intellectual disability. The games offer a great opportunity to address these, starting with equity in media presentation. - Yours, etc.,
DESMOND BALMER, Care Assistant, Good Counsel Centre, Ballyboden, Dublin 16.