Since the late 1980s, you may have noticed a paradigm shift in film and television toward authentic disability representation. Not only has this provided more roles for people with disabilities, but it has also helped to destigmatize and normalize their stories to audiences around the world.
After earlier roles for people with disabilities used them mostly for humor, horror or disgust, this second wave aims to debunk notions that having a disability constitutes less than “normal,” or that it defines someone.
Source: 6 films and shows that authentically portray people with disabilities | Datebook