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Miss AbilityA beauty pageant for disabled women only was the smash hit of DutchiThe Miss Ability beauty pageant, broadcast live in May, was the smash hit in the Netherlands. Now it has come to the United Kingdom and may soon arrive in the States.
Ever whistled at a woman in a wheelchair? Checked out the boobs of a blind babe? Flirted with a gal who has difficulty walking? This is the tagline used by Absolutely Independent, producers of the original reality TV show, Miss Ability. Twelve young women with disabilities ‘visible to the naked eye’ participate in different events in front of a panel of judges. The twelve contestants appear before the judges in casual wear, evening wear, swim suits and lingerie/nightgowns. They are interviewed by a top journalist to prove they have what it takes to be an Ability Ambassador, must participate in a full fashion shoot with a top photographer in which the contestants must prove their abilities as a model and make a short film in which they show how they overcame their disabilities. After all this, the judges select the final four contestants. The final four contestants then give another speech and the winner is chosen by the viewing public. The Dutch producer of the show, Jacco Doombus, insists that the shock value of a show like this is what made it a smash success. Says Doombus, “Miss Ability isn't meant to be 'ethical,’ but is meant to be a bomb! The programme generates discussion among the viewers on how we in society are looking at disabled people and how we 'qualify' them in our minds. If you want to create a change in societies perception / public opinion of disabled persons, and how people threat a disabled person, you have to throw a bomb first ... to make people think and talk." The reviews on Miss Ability are mixed. Some are against the entire idea of a ‘disabled only’ beauty pageant, wishing instead to see disabled women competing alongside their non-disabled counterparts, as in the case of Heather Whitestone McCallum, the first deaf Miss America. One reader’s comment from Snopes.com sums up this attitude, “I feel like it's a little sad that we need a separate ceremony for disabled people. I mean, I know why...I know that people are weirded out. But I feel like ultimately, it would be better if disabled people could participate alongside their nondisabled counterparts.” Others think that a beauty contest such as Miss Ability is held solely for the shock value end entertainment to the viewing public, illustrated by this post from Snopes, “I have this vague uncomfortable feeling that this is something like a modern day side show. "Look! She's crippled, but she looks hot in a bikini! And she talks, too! Amazing!" A poster from Feministing.com shows that still others are upset that an opportunity as great as this did not do more to improve the civil rights of disabled people, choosing instead to focus almost exclusively on beauty. “How much money went into this show that could've been better spent, say, on research or helping poor, unattractive wheelchairers build a ramp in their home?” What’s your take on the Miss Ability beauty pageant? Join the discussion in the forum and let us know!
The copyright of the article Miss Ability in Disabilities is owned by Megan Drummond. Permission to republish Miss Ability in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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