ONE SCREEN FOR MANY AND MANY FOR ONE SCREEN: REPRESENTATION AND INCLUSIVITY IN ANIMAITON



Animation is a powerful medium, often used to spark imaginations, tell universal stories, and even shape our culture.

In a lot of ways, it has shaped characters we can identify with, stories that resemble our stages of life, and given us the reminder of what the world looks like at various times.

With some popular animation properties reaching every corner of the world, and with others, trying to crack through the crevices of the industry, it can seem as though the language of animation is only seen through one lens. 

However, with more progressive shifts in society and culture, over the years since animation grew in popularity as a media form for entertainment and much more, there has been need for more voice to be included.

In recent years, there’s been a growing shift in how animation studios approach audience inclusivity. 

Not just in terms of cultural representation but also in sensory and physical accessibility. For children and families with special needs, animation can be a crucial way to experience storytelling, but how inclusive is it really?

Let’s explore how animation is becoming more inclusive, from efforts to represent diverse cultures, gender identities, and abilities to what animation could look like for children with sensory needs or those who need special environments to enjoy content like their peers.

Inclusivity in Animation: More Than Just Representation

Cultural Representation and Diversity

When it comes to inclusivity, one of the most notable changes in recent years is the push for more diverse representation in animated films and TV shows. Historically, animation, especially in the West, has been dominated by a narrow, Eurocentric worldview. However, studios are increasingly making strides to include a broader spectrum of cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds.

  • Pixar’s Coco: One of the most celebrated examples of cultural representation is Pixar's Coco, which showcases Mexican traditions around Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). By weaving in cultural nuances and music, Coco allowed children of Mexican descent (and audiences around the world) to see a reflection of their culture in mainstream media.
  • Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon: This film offers representation of Southeast Asian cultures, weaving in design elements, landscapes, and stories drawn from a mix of traditions. The representation is subtle yet important, as it provides children from underrepresented backgrounds with a chance to see themselves in magical adventures. Other notable mentions of early attempts by Disney include their animated films, Mulan and Pocahontas.

This move towards more diverse animation is important because it not only allows for cultural recognition but also helps shape the next generation of empathetic and globally aware audiences. It shows that animation is evolving to meet the needs of children from all walks of life.

Gender and Identity Representation

Beyond ethnicity and culture, representation in animation also includes gender identities, sexual orientation, and other marginalized identities. While still a work in progress, there has been significant movement in ensuring animation is a space where all children can see themselves represented.

  • LGBTQ+ Representation in Animated Films: One of the more significant milestones was the inclusion of a LGBTQ+ couple in Pixar’s Out (2020), which features a young man coming out to his parents. While it’s a short film, the mere act of showing an LGBTQ+ character in a children’s animated film is groundbreaking. It normalizes LGBTQ+ families for younger audiences and opens the door for future projects to explore these themes more widely.
  • Gender Fluidity in The Owl House: Disney’s animated series The Owl House features an openly bisexual lead character, Luz, and explores a variety of relationships in an age-appropriate, non-heteronormative way. Shows like this are pushing the boundaries of what children’s animation can represent in terms of gender identity and sexuality, making it easier for children to navigate these topics with the understanding that there’s no “one way” to be.

Accessibility in Animation: Reaching Every Audience

Sensory Needs and Autism Spectrum

While representation is important, accessibility is equally critical when thinking about how animation can be made inclusive for children with special needs, especially those with sensory processing disorders, autism, or neurodivergence. Many children with these needs struggle to enjoy mainstream content due to things like over-stimulation, lack of visual or auditory clarity, or difficulty processing fast-paced content. So, how can studios make animation more sensory-friendly for these children?

  • The Role of Color and Sound: Studios are beginning to experiment with animations that cater to sensory preferences. For example, the contrast, colors, and movement of visuals can be modified to avoid overloading a child’s senses. Shows designed for children on the autism spectrum, like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, often feature calm color palettes, softer music, and slower, more deliberate pacing. These are all elements that make the show less overwhelming. Below is a link to check some of the videos out.


  • Creating Space for Autism-Friendly Content: There are also autism-friendly screenings at theaters, where studios adapt the sound levels, lighting, and sensory features of films to make them more comfortable for children with sensory sensitivities. Some studios are now beginning to make sensory-friendly content by default, through adjusting visual intensity, sound, and pacing to ensure that children with a range of sensory needs can have a positive experience. Below are some links to articles that further emphasize the role of animation in the education of children with special needs.



  • Customized Experiences: The development of interactive storytelling tools, such as Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style content, is also growing in the animation world. This allows children with sensory processing disorders or other unique needs to tailor the experience to their liking. They can adjust pacing, music, or visuals based on their personal preferences, making animation more accessible and engaging.

Inclusive Animation for Different Abilities

Animation is also moving towards being more accessible for children with physical disabilities. Characters with disabilities, or characters who use assistive technology, are becoming more visible in children’s media, and there are calls for greater representation of the disabled community.

  • Disney’s The Incredibles and Finding Dory: In both films, the characters portray the lived experiences of people with disabilities. Dash, in The Incredibles, experiences challenges with traditional schooling, while mostly focusing on his use of his powers wrongly, this trouble, somewhat subtly could hint at hyperactivity and inattention or the diverse capabilities of students within traditional schooling, which could still be a place in which students may relate with, while Dory in Finding Dory deals with short-term memory loss. These portrayals help normalize disability and showcase it in a way that children can understand and empathize with.
  • Accessibility Through Subtitles and Audio Descriptions: Increasingly, studios are making their films and shows more accessible by providing closed captions, subtitles, and audio descriptions. For children with hearing impairments or visual disabilities, this makes the content more inclusive and ensures that no child is left out of the experience.

The Future of Inclusive Animation: What’s Next?

Looking ahead, the future of inclusive animation will likely be driven by both representation and accessibility. We can expect to see:

  • More Diverse Characters: Expect more studios to integrate intersectional diversity, blending ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, disabilities, and social classes into characters. Studios will aim to create more characters that reflect the diverse world we live in. More popular characters, in Marvel and DC comics, with the help of their respective partnerships with Disney and Warner Bros Entertainment, have paved a way for their characters to embrace in such light.
  • Customizable Content for Sensory Needs: With advances in interactive technologies and customizable content, studios may offer more personalized viewing experiences for children with sensory needs. Imagine an app or platform that allows parents to tweak the visuals, sound, and pacing of a show to create a more comfortable environment for their child.
  • Expanding Accessibility Features: As studios work with accessibility experts and families, we may see the introduction of more universal design principles, which will not only include closed captioning or audio descriptions but also adaptive features that make animated films accessible for children with a wider range of needs, from mobility impairments to cognitive challenges.

Conclusion
As animation evolves, so too does its responsibility to include all types of audiences. It’s no longer just about telling stories, it’s about creating spaces where everyone can experience the magic of animation. 

From providing cultural representation to ensuring sensory-friendly content for children with special needs, the future of animation is a place where diversity and inclusivity are at the forefront. By making animation more inclusive, in both representation and accessibility, we are ensuring that all children can find a piece of themselves in the colorful, vibrant world of animation.

Which other animated shows have you seen representation and inclusivity? Plus what are your thoughts on it? Let us know in the comments

 

 

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