#AdvocacyMatters: Mainstream Representation

January 23, 2026 / #AdvocacyMatters

Visibility of individuals with disabilities, like portrayal in books, tv, and movies, inclusion in news media, and normalized, mainstream accommodations, lags far behind representing the actual size and scope of this community within our society. Inclusion in popular media often seems to be focused on the disability, not the person who happens to have it. Despite advances in acceptance and understanding, this disability-first representation typically defers to mere "token" representation.

Last month, on International Persons with Disabilities recognition day, Apple released a sharply-focused ad called "I'm Not Remarkable. " This nearly 3-minute short film follows a group of college students with a diverse representation of disabilities move throughout different parts of the college experience… all aided by different technologies. The raw, unfiltered depiction of disability appears designed to make some viewers at least a bit uncomfortable, pushing back at the empathetic, "needs saving" portrayals and tropes that have been prevalent in media for generations.

Hitting back at sympathetic views towards individuals with disabilities - even when well-intended - the film shatters tired stereotypes with stunning visuals and sharply-clever lyrics:

"Don't wanna be admired, I'm not your inspiration. If you wanna be inspired, there's a library down the hall. Have you noticed admiration sometimes smells a bit like pity. I can be strong, I get stuff wrong, and I don't always talk so pretty."

The film has a commercial aspect as well, of course, as it highlights many assistive technologies available in Apple products. Despite this obvious advertisement, the film comes off as something far bigger: A deliberate, unapologetic, and people-first representation of the young American experience as someone with a disability.

Advancing this message beyond the 3-minute YouTube video, a shorter television commercial was created as well, airing most recently in a high-profile spot during last week's College Football Playoff National Championship game.

Our world won't change until our attitudes do, and this type of clear, direct, sometimes uncomfortable depiction can help to move us in the right direction.

#AdvocacyMatters