According to G.N. Karna, ‘India is a home to the second largest population with disabilities (1.9% of its total population) only after China (4.9% of its total population)’. Whereas at global level they are forming 15% of the total global population according to recently released World Report on Disability. Their suffering is as same as their enormity in size which is invisible, misrepresented, unrepresented and under-represented in the mainstream media. Media marginalization of disability representation is one of the responsible ascriptions which keep them away from taking part in the social and the political life.      
In the opinion of Gold and Aulander, “the modern day media play an important role not only reflecting attitudes and values regarding disability but also in shaping them”. 

This observation very pertinent that unveils the key role that media have been playing in the lives of the individuals cutting across disabled or able-bodied. Historically, disability has been used in media as ‘cliché’ to establish hegemonic and patriarchal notions which are negative in nature by the ‘normal’ society. Presence of PWDs is common in our folk tales, comics, stories both written and unwritten and in films with obvious negative shade. The stereotypical projection of disability in the media greatly damages the chances of PWDs attempts to ascertain their very identity. The negative perpetuation of disability through media pushing the PWDs to a corner resulting-they are “excluded”.

Umpteen numbers of studies done in the West to study the media representation disability. Among all, Collin Barnes, 1992 work “Disabling Imagery and The Media” was an important contribution to the field of disability studies. He listed ten stereotypes which media have been universally perpetuating the same,  they are as: The disabled person as pitiable or pathetic, an object of curiosity or violence, sinister or evil, the super cripple, as atmosphere, laughable, his/her own worst enemy, as a burden, as asexual, being unable to participate in daily life. The significant problem with this kind media lopsided representation of disability that misleads the portrayal of disabled people that consequently widens the gap between the PWDs and community they are living in.

At this juncture, no doubt that new energy has been floating around thanks to New Social Movements where Disability Movement in the country has greatly benefitted. A few miles stones been achieved so far by the groups associated with the disability movement. Foremost was shift in nomenclature from handicapped to disabled to vulnerable. Lot of negotiations is around disability identity politics and disability culture. Above all, a promising new law in the pipeline which is going to be huge and historical success of the groups to celebrate. Though an inextricable and mutual link is established between media and disability movement in India, one should confess that the negative representation of disability in media is eternalized!?