According to a study conducted by a Delhi based NGO, the media too, like the popular notion, has not been able to conceive of disability experience in terms of social, political and economic constructs. While the voice of the disabled remains marginalized most of the time, in instances where these have been heard and their lives have become part of the mainstream, two distinct but predictable images are discernable.

Whereas one set of images constructs the disabled persons as the ‘problem', the other set at best symbolizes the threshold of human challenge, rendering disability as heroic and admirable. The former suffused with an element of tragedy has been compelling, but the latter has been inspirational. Consequently what has emerged is stereotypical treatment which has left the disabled people highly dissatisfied. The attempt to fit these so-called mainstream images has been therefore a daunting assignment.

The past few years have seen changes in the comprehension of disability as a purely medical category. Disability is now understood as a phenomenon created by society, which historically has had architectural, occupational, educational, communicational and attitudinal barriers preventing disabled people from being part of an integrated society.

Within this perspective, the focus shifts from an emphasis on physical difference vested in the person to an evaluation of societal structures that perpetuate the traditional notion of ‘disability'. The paradigm shift from charity to facilities as a matter of right, which is now the focal point of the disabled rights movement, has not yet extended to the media. Whether it is print or electronic media or even films, the disabled people are scoffed or scorned at. The small minority of media persons who are atuned to the disabled rights movement in a proper prospective have had a limited voice thus far. The most glaring example of disabled people being objects of sympathy and pity is found in films where a “langda” or an “andha” is made fun of without any sensitivity or concern. Or else the disabled is invariably the villain on the Hindi film screen. Thus, the image that the disabled are a form of evil is reinforced in society.

On the other hand, there have been films and TV serials that have looked at disability from a different prospective, explore the life of disabled in a sensitive manner and projected the issue in an empathetic framework. Films like "Koshish", "Khamoshi", "Sparsh", "Dosti", "Anjali" and most recently "Tera Mera Saath Rahe" have made efforts to approach the issue with sensitivity. Yet, a lot remains to be done and filmmakers, actors and even scriptwriters need to be sensitized on various issues of disability. They need to become aware of the fact that disabled people are differently abled and have

To explore this issue further and to initiate a process of dialogue with films makers, actors and others associated with the industry, we, in BROTHERHOOD have recently organized “The First International Special Film Festival-2003" in collaboration with India Trade Promotion Organization and Actionaid India from March 14 - 20, 2003. in which films which portray the issue of disability with sensitivity and concern were screened. Simultaneously, discussions were held where the portrayal of disability in films was discussed with director and actors.

During the first International Special Film Festival-2003 it was suggested that this should not remain a one-time effort but a more permanent mechanism of creating awareness on disability issues through films and also exploring the possibilities of setting up a permanent resource group It was also suggested that the nomenclatur should be changed from National Disability Film Centre (NDFC) to National Disability Resource Centre (NDRC) as the centre will be dealing not only in films but other material also like books, posters and other audio visual products like slides, audio and video recordings etc.

• To establish a permanent resource centre starting with a library of books, manuscripts, periodicals, still photographs, Posters, audio-video recordings on disability issues from within and outside the country. For reference, research and study.
• To build up a comprehensive collection of films (both fiction and non fiction), features and shorts, Documentaries, educational and motivational films on issues relating to disability made in India and abroad, either in film / video or digital format.
• To document content data of all the film and non film material in the collection of the centre in a scientific manner for possible use by research workers, communicators, media personnel and others interested in the use of the material in their respective fields.
• To set-up a distribution network throughout the country for the wider reach of the films / videos and print material to all sections of society.
• To encourage research and use of the material to create awareness on disability issues through films (features as well as documentaries), audio-video and audio-visual material in schools, colleges, educational institutions and among the public on an ongoing basis.
• To organize regular workshops, training programmes and film festivals and Seminars in different cities as part of the awareness programme mentioned above.
  To build up necessary infrastructure for the production of educational and motivational film/video programmes on disability issues by trained personnel who have been specially trained for making such films.
• To serve as a catalytic agent for influencing professionals involved in film and TV production, for the correct treatment and depiction of the subject in entertainment films and TV serials dealing with disability issues and act as a watchdog in monitoring such distorted depictions to ensure that disability is not taken advantage of for material gains Most of such distortions are being perpetuated in the name of entertainment and box office requirements by vested interests without realizing the tremendous harm they are doing in terms of creating misunderstanding and false notions among ordinary people about the subject .
• To conduct periodical training programmes / workshops either independently or in collaboration with established institutions like Films and Television Institute, Pune, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Mass Communication and Research Centre, Jamia Milia Islamia, India Institute for Mass Communication and others to sensitize new and upcoming film makers, Non-Governmental Organizations, Funding Agencies to take up the subject connected with disability issues in their future production programmes.
• To provide adequate expertise on disability issues to institutions and individuals interested in making films/documentaries/audio-visual programmes on the subject.
• To encourage persons with disability to get involved in the making of films, TV and audio-visual programmes.
• To persuade both public and private TV channels to allow time slots in their day-to-day programmes on disability issues.