GeekDis is in full swing and if you’ve missed any content before now you can browse the GeekDis category for what you’ve missed! For those of you are new to Just Geeking By, GeekDis is a collaborative event for members of the disability community to talk about disability representation in pop culture. You can read all about the event and what is coming up this month here.

Over the next month myself and other members of the disabled community are going to be talking about all things pop culture including books, films and TV Shows. To do this, we’re going to be talking about a lot of them and giving our thoughts.

I am challenging everyone, whether you’re disabled or nondisabled, to read at least one book or watch at least one film/TV Show with a disabled character in it during September.

While you do it, I want you to use these GeekDis Bingo Cards and see how many things you can tick off.

I have placed all the incorrect or stereotypical disability representations in red on the left and all the  authentic disability representations in blue on the right.

What makes something incorrect/stereotypical and something authentic? Well, I’ll be discussing these in posts and reviews throughout September, and these topics came up in content myself and others created last year for GeekDis, so please do check out the GeekDis 2021 hub as well. Keep hold of your bingo card and keep up with GeekDis posts throughout September to learn more about disability representation in pop culture.

Some people may be unaware of the term “ambulatory wheelchair user”. This refers to someone with a disability who is not paralysed and sometimes needs to use a wheelchair for mobility. They are not “faking” their symptoms, they have a physical disability with variable symptoms. I am an ambulatory wheelchair user, although I only need to use a wheelchair in certain situations, such as at an airport. Mobility assistance allows me to navigate the distance and queues without exhausting my body. Ambulatory wheelchair users are very common, but did you know they existed until now? Maybe ask yourself why that is.

Where to find Films & TV Shows with disabled characters

You can go onto any streaming service and search for “disabled”, “disability” or other appropriate search terms to find relevant films and TV shows. That is what I did to find films to review, and I found a broad selection on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

You can also use the following lists to help you find something to watch for the bingo:

• MUBI.com Disability in film lists
• IRIS Center Films: Portrayals of peoples with disabilities **
• Common sense media has two lists: Characters who have developmental disabilities and Characters who have physical disabilities **
• Netflix shows about Chronic illness
• Health Central’s Must-Watch List of Disability-Friendly Movies
• Wikipedia: Films about disability
• IMDB Movies about Disabilities List

** Please note that most disabled people prefer identity first language, i.e. disabled person, not person/people with disabilities. Unless told otherwise by a disabled person of their personal preferences, it is always best to use identity first language.

Downloads

You can download the Film & TV bingo card from Dropbox here as an image file or a PDF to print. Alternatively, for screen readers, there is also a text version available as a Word document or PDF.

Where to find Books with disabled characters

You can go onto Scribd and search for “disabled”, “disability”, chronic illness, neurodivergent, autism or other appropriate search terms to find relevant books. I found a fantastic selection on there and with my referral code you can read for free for 60 days which is perfect for this bingo challenge!

You can also use the following lists to help you find something to watch for the bingo:

• Metaphors & Moonlight – Sci Fi & Fantasy books with disability
• GoodReads Lists
• Chicago Public Library: Middle Grade books that feature a protagonist with a disability **
• Island Books – Books about Disability List
• Black Forest Basilisks – SFF Novels Featuring a Character With a Disability **
• F/F Books with Disabled Characters
• My personal list on GoodReads – As it’s my personal list it is heavy on the fantasy, sci-fi side

Disabled readers don’t forget to join the GeekDis book club on GoodReads being held in the Crip Shelves group! For nondisabled readers, I recommend the Diversity in all forms! group.

** Please note that most disabled people prefer identity first language, i.e. disabled person, not person/people with disabilities. Unless told otherwise by a disabled person of their personal preferences, it is always best to use identity first language.

Downloads

You can download the Book bingo card from Dropbox here as an image file or a PDF to print. Alternatively, for screen readers, there is also a text version available as a Word document or PDF.

Are you up for the GeekDis Bingo challenge? Let me know in the comments 🙂

You can follow the GeekDis event on all social media networks by following the hashtag #GeekDis!

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