People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are part of every community, yet their perspectives are often missing from the news — even when the story is about them.
IDD is an umbrella term that includes diagnoses like autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and more.
“If you’re not including people with IDD in your reporting, you’re leaving out the source who could be shaping the story from the start,” said Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc, a non-profit organization that promotes disabilities rights.
To help journalists elevate their coverage of this underrepresented community, we’ve teamed up with The Arc to share a series of actionable tips and resources. (See previous guidance on framing and language and elevating disability coverage beyond visual clichés.)
How can journalists improve their disability coverage and avoid perpetuating harmful generalizations or prejudice?
Neas: People with IDD deserve the same chance to define their own lives that everyone else gets, and journalists need their perspective to get the story right. When people with IDD are missing from stories, coverage can slip into harmful stereotypes, like pity, a medical-only frame, or treating someone as inspiring simply for existing. This matters because stereotypes in the media create stereotypes and barriers in real life. They shape expectations and how people get treated.
If a story is about disability or federal programs like Medicaid, people with IDD should absolutely be in it. If a story is about community life, people with IDD belong there too. Just like non-disabled people, they live in the community and have something to say.
How can journalists make an interview more accessible and respectful?
Neas: Start with one question: “What would make this interview work best for you?” Then follow their lead. We often see reporters hesitate to offer two important accommodations: Sharing questions in advance and using a different interview format like email or text.
For some people with IDD, those steps are what make the interview possible. They give people time to process and respond in the way they communicate best, and they help journalists capture what the person actually means.
Keep your questions in plain language and ask one at a time. If you don’t understand a response, say so and try again in a clearer way.
Be mindful of pace, too. People with IDD often deal with being talked down to or being rushed in everyday conversations. Ask what pace works, then match it.
And don’t script the takeaway in your head before the interview starts. Ask open questions, then listen intently to get the real answer.
Finally, be thoughtful about risk. Some people are cautious about talking publicly about support and services because they worry it could affect benefits, employment, or other parts of their life. Be clear about what you’ll use, what you won’t, and let them set boundaries.
Some people with IDD have a designated support person who provides assistance with daily tasks. What should journalists know about working with a support person during interviews?
Neas: For some people, a support person is essential for communication. That support might come from a family member, a direct support professional, or someone else the person trusts. If a support person is part of the interview process, the goal is to make sure the person with IDD stays at the center of their own story.
Set expectations upfront with something like: “I’m going to direct questions to you. If you want [support person’s name] to help you answer or clarify, that’s completely fine.” Then keep your attention on the person with IDD.
If the support person is interpreting, prompting, or filling in details, do quick check-ins to confirm you’ve got it right so the person with IDD stays in control. The story needs to be their words or ideas, not someone else taking over.
Where can journalists find people with IDD to interview as sources or experts?
Neas: People with IDD aren’t only helpful for personal stories. They can also be expert sources on the systems they rely on, the policies that shape daily life, and the barriers they navigate every day. People with IDD should show up in everyday coverage, across every desk, because they’re part of the public.
To find people with IDD, start local and be specific. Reach out to self-advocacy groups and disability organizations, including local chapters of The Arc (we have 549 nationwide!), and ask: “Who are people with IDD who can speak on the record about this issue?”
When you find a strong source, ask who else they trust. That’s one of the easiest ways to widen your sourcing within the disability community.
Also, be sure to bring people in early. If people with IDD aren’t part of your first round of interviews, the framing often gets set without them, and it’s hard to fix later.
Go deeper: See previous guidance on framing and language and elevating disability coverage beyond visual clichés.