In Kyrgyzstan, disability-inclusive communication is about representation, which leads to transformation.

• The video reel showing a barista with Down syndrome working in the coffee shop inspired pushes parents of a girl with Down syndrome to let her to buy groceries on her own.
• Rehearsals for a theatre performance for the 16 days activism against sexual and gender-based violence united women with disabilities to tell their stories of resilience. 
• UNDP New Year song, performing in sign language, inspired people with hearing impairment to organize own concert.

These are more than stories; they’re proof of what’s possible when inclusion becomes a practice, not just a principle. 

At UNDP Kyrgyzstan, we are committed to turning such stories into norms. Over the past two years, we have worked to mainstream disability across programs and projects, ensuring our initiatives resonate with inclusivity. From training staff to developing resources like "Disability in the Media" and a Glossary of key disability-inclusive terms our work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves a seat at the table—and a voice in the conversation.

For the first time the disability community felt heard and seen as actors in important domains. They are widely presented and participating in issues of governance, climate change, disaster risk reduction, economic empowerment, and entrepreneurship. 

Here are five actionable principles for disability-inclusive communication that will help you walk the talk. 

1. “Nothing About Us Without Us”

This principle, rooted in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, insists on active participation by people with disabilities in media creation. They should consult, write, act, and direct in ways that authentically represent their experiences. Avoid speaking for them—let their voices drive the narrative. Authentic storytelling challenges stereotypes, fosters empathy, and builds trust.

Actionable Tip: Include individuals with disabilities in brainstorming sessions, interviews, and feedback loops when creating media content.

2. Embrace Disability Diversity

Disability isn’t a monolith. It’s essential to move beyond the clichéd image of the wheelchair, which often overshadows the diversity of disabilities. Representation should capture the breadth of abilities, identities, and experiences.

Actionable Tip: Use visuals, language, and stories that reflect a wide range of disabilities, emphasizing the person first, not their limitations.

3. Portray People Authentically

People with disabilities are individuals, not stereotypes. Avoid portraying them as victims or heroes who "overcome" adversity. They live full, varied lives, just like everyone else.

Actionable Tip: Show people with disabilities in everyday scenarios—at work, at play, and in community roles—without dramatizing or oversimplifying their experiences.

4. Eliminate Negative Stereotypes

The media often perpetuates harmful stereotypes, from portraying disability as a tragedy to framing people with disabilities as dependent or incapable. These tropes dehumanize and limit societal perceptions.

Actionable Tip: Audit your content for stereotypes or clichés. Partner with disability organizations to review and improve messaging.

5. Use Inclusive Language

Language shapes perceptions. Words that devalue or stigmatize disability can reinforce negative attitudes. Always prioritize person-first language (e.g., “a person with a disability” rather than “disabled person”) and avoid euphemisms or labels that infantilize or diminish.

Actionable Tip: Develop a language guide for your organization. Consult disability advocacy groups to ensure accuracy and sensitivity.

Expanding Disability Representation in the Media

The media plays a pivotal role in shaping societal perceptions, including those about people with disabilities. Representation matters, and fostering accurate, inclusive, and authentic portrayals can break stereotypes and build a more understanding society. Several approaches can significantly enhance disability representation in the media.

Self-representation of the disability experience in the media should become a widespread practice. This strategy allows the public to gain insights into the authentic experiences of people with disabilities, thereby increasing awareness and understanding. Furthermore, self-representation bolsters the confidence of individuals with disabilities and fosters an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives.

Visualization of disability is another critical aspect. By presenting disability in visual formats, the media can concretize the experience, attach an emotional dimension to the narrative, highlight complex issues, and stimulate the audience's desire for additional information. When visualizing disability, it is essential to consider:

• Disability diversity, reflecting the wide spectrum of experiences and identities.
• Authentic portrayals, ensuring that people with disabilities are represented as they are, in their real environments and interactions.
• The environment, showing how inclusive spaces can empower individuals.
• An inclusive culture, demonstrating how societal acceptance and adaptability can make a difference.

To ensure equitable access to media for people with disabilities, a multimodal approach is crucial. This includes leveraging technologies to adapt information according to the diverse needs of people with disabilities, such as captioning, sign language interpretation, audio descriptions, and accessible web design. These measures make the media environment more inclusive and empower people with disabilities to engage as consumers and creators of content.

These approaches not only improve media representation but also contribute to a society where disability is seen not as a limitation but as a part of human diversity, with the potential to enrich every aspect of culture and dialogue.

Making Inclusion the Norm

As communication professionals, our words, images, and narratives shape societal attitudes. By embedding these principles into our work, we create media that not only reflects reality but also drives change.

At UNDP Kyrgyzstan, these efforts have already yielded results. The disability community has expressed gratitude for strategic partnerships that integrate their voices into governance, climate action, disaster preparedness, and economic empowerment. Yet, the work continues—and I invite you to join this journey.

How do you ensure inclusivity in your communication? Share your insights, challenges, or best practices in the comments. Together, we can redefine what inclusive communication means—not just for our organizations, but for society as a whole.