Advocating for a dementia-inclusive visual communication
Introduction This study examines the underlying visual communication strategies found in existing images of dementia in the public domain. By delineating how experiences of dementia are visualized and their consequent social interpretations, we aim to inform and advocate for a dementia-inclusive vis...
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my.um.eprints.386222023-07-07T07:48:01Z http://eprints.um.edu.my/38622/ Advocating for a dementia-inclusive visual communication Ang, Pei Soo Yeo, Siang Lee Koran, Leela P Philology. Linguistics Introduction This study examines the underlying visual communication strategies found in existing images of dementia in the public domain. By delineating how experiences of dementia are visualized and their consequent social interpretations, we aim to inform and advocate for a dementia-inclusive visual communication, that is, visual depictions that cultivate and represent a dementia-inclusive society. Methods The visuals were analyzed by employing the Visual Discourses of Disability (ViDD) framework that juxtaposes the ``perspectivizing-personizing'' cline with the ``enabling-disabling'' continuum. The data studied comprise a total of 432 images sourced from three domains, namely (1) The Star, a Malaysian mainstream English newspaper (2012-2021); (2) Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) website (2019-2021); and (3) the Ministry of Health Malaysia (2019-2021) website. Findings from the visual analyses were corroborated by four representatives of ADFM in a group interview. Results There is a predominance of stigmatized images, constructing dementia as a loss and deficit, thus depicting individuals in distanced suffering. Generic representations of people through stock images, a unique focus on the hands, representations of brain degeneration through abstractions and missing puzzle pieces are also prevalent. Despite these, the interview data confirmed that the perspectivizing aspect may be necessary to educate the public on what dementia entails. While personizing images that depict personhood and actual persons living with dementia are ideal, the use of stock images may be necessary if there is a need to maintain confidentiality and observe sensitivities. Similarly, images with positive emotions are encouraged but disabling ones are equally important to reflect reality and inculcate empathy. Conclusion When capturing, selecting and publishing images of dementia, organizations should deliberate on different visual elements which evoke empowerment, advocacy, handicapping and othering implications as outlined in the ViDD framework. Any decision should only be made after considering the purposes of publications and implications such images have on the intended audiences. SAGE Publications Ltd 2023-04 Article PeerReviewed Ang, Pei Soo and Yeo, Siang Lee and Koran, Leela (2023) Advocating for a dementia-inclusive visual communication. Dementia-International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 22 (3). pp. 628-645. ISSN 1471-3012, DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012231155979 <https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012231155979>. 10.1177/14713012231155979 |
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P Philology. Linguistics Ang, Pei Soo Yeo, Siang Lee Koran, Leela Advocating for a dementia-inclusive visual communication |
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Introduction This study examines the underlying visual communication strategies found in existing images of dementia in the public domain. By delineating how experiences of dementia are visualized and their consequent social interpretations, we aim to inform and advocate for a dementia-inclusive visual communication, that is, visual depictions that cultivate and represent a dementia-inclusive society. Methods The visuals were analyzed by employing the Visual Discourses of Disability (ViDD) framework that juxtaposes the ``perspectivizing-personizing'' cline with the ``enabling-disabling'' continuum. The data studied comprise a total of 432 images sourced from three domains, namely (1) The Star, a Malaysian mainstream English newspaper (2012-2021); (2) Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) website (2019-2021); and (3) the Ministry of Health Malaysia (2019-2021) website. Findings from the visual analyses were corroborated by four representatives of ADFM in a group interview. Results There is a predominance of stigmatized images, constructing dementia as a loss and deficit, thus depicting individuals in distanced suffering. Generic representations of people through stock images, a unique focus on the hands, representations of brain degeneration through abstractions and missing puzzle pieces are also prevalent. Despite these, the interview data confirmed that the perspectivizing aspect may be necessary to educate the public on what dementia entails. While personizing images that depict personhood and actual persons living with dementia are ideal, the use of stock images may be necessary if there is a need to maintain confidentiality and observe sensitivities. Similarly, images with positive emotions are encouraged but disabling ones are equally important to reflect reality and inculcate empathy. Conclusion When capturing, selecting and publishing images of dementia, organizations should deliberate on different visual elements which evoke empowerment, advocacy, handicapping and othering implications as outlined in the ViDD framework. Any decision should only be made after considering the purposes of publications and implications such images have on the intended audiences. |
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Ang, Pei Soo Yeo, Siang Lee Koran, Leela |
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Ang, Pei Soo Yeo, Siang Lee Koran, Leela |
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Ang, Pei Soo |
title |
Advocating for a dementia-inclusive visual communication |
title_short |
Advocating for a dementia-inclusive visual communication |
title_full |
Advocating for a dementia-inclusive visual communication |
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Advocating for a dementia-inclusive visual communication |
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Advocating for a dementia-inclusive visual communication |
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advocating for a dementia-inclusive visual communication |
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SAGE Publications Ltd |
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2023 |
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http://eprints.um.edu.my/38622/ |
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