The Disability Narrative Initiative, led by Military Veterans in Journalism, aims to enhance media coverage of disability by equipping journalists and media professionals with the tools and resources necessary for accurate, respectful and inclusive storytelling.
Building on insights from the Disabled Journalists Association, the project recognizes that while existing disability reporting style guides focus primarily on language corrections, they often lack advice and practical examples for creating well-rounded, respectful coverage. This initiative seeks to bridge that gap by producing a comprehensive Disability Narrative Guide, developed in collaboration with disabled journalists.
15,800,000
Number of U.S. Military Veterans
5,270,000
Number of U.S. Military Veterans with a Disability
Council Members
Lygia Navarro is an award-winning disabled magazine, audio and multimedia reporter and editor, and editorial director at the Disabled Journalists Association.
Sam Kille is an experienced storyteller, crisis spokesperson and nonprofit communications leader.
Kenrya Rankin (she/her) is an award-winning author, narrative strategist, journalist, editorial consultant, and disability justice advocate whose work amplifies the lived experiences, advocacy, and labor of people pushed to the margins. A disabled Black woman and 25-plus-year editorial veteran, she serves as Managing Director at Disability Culture Lab, where she works to shift the narrative on disability from fear and pity to solidarity and liberation.
Beth Haller is co-director of the Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment (gadim.org) and a retired professor in Disability Studies and Media Studies.
Zack Baddorf is a journalist, filmmaker, and national security and foreign policy practitioner, as well as co-founder and executive director of Military Veterans in Journalism.
John Loeppky is a freelance journalist who has written about disability and health and Creator of CRPL Media, his media project working to create more disability-led coverage that goes beyond opinions and towards solutions.
Cara Reedy is a journalist, actor, comedian and film director as well as founder of the Disabled Journalists Association.
Partner Organizations
Recent Projects
Disability Narrative Guide
The Disability Narrative Guide will be a comprehensive resource designed to help journalists tell accurate, respectful and inclusive stories about disability.
Building on insights from the Disabled Journalists Association, the project recognizes that while existing disability reporting style guides focus primarily on language corrections, they often lack advice and practical examples for creating well-rounded, respectful coverage. This initiative seeks to bridge that gap by producing a comprehensive Disability Narrative Guide, developed in collaboration with disabled journalists.
The guide will be made available in multiple accessible formats (e.g., PDF, web page) for broad distribution and published in Spring 2026.
Webinar Series
As part of this initiative, MVJ will launch a series of 12 hour-long webinars featuring a variety of disability-focused organizations to provide practical tools and foster meaningful discussions on improving disability representation in media. These events will be recorded and hosted here.
Past Events:
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Upcoming Events:
