Disability and Otherization: Readings on Cinema in The Light of UD Principles

Abstract

Cinema and architecture are universal with their inclusiveness in themental process. The mental process is often generated by the sense ofsight in modern times. In this sense, cinema, as a visual art, has startedto take an active role in the intellectual, conceptual and creative actionsof modern man. With the cinema, the realities of the virtual world havebecome more convincing than the dreams of the real world. It involvesperson-environment relationships which might not be ours but “looklike ours”. Universal Design (UD) also puts forward a proactiveinteraction in-between man and environment. UD is based on equitable,flexible, intuitive, perceptible, tolerant-to-error access with appropriatesize and space. While its conceptual basis with its guidelines arecommonly constructed on the spatial needs of people with disabilities, ithighlights disability does not focus on only permanent, visible, bodily orintellectual (dis)abilities. Every kind of "otherization" creates disabilityin society. This study aims to investigate how the relationship betweenarchitecture and disability in cinema is portrayed by reading throughfilms that are masterpieces covering experiences of different disabilitygroups. Using Visual Analysis method in the study, the codes andcategories generated based on the UD Principles are associated withselected visual images and dialogues according to the frames of meaningof the scenes in the films. In this way, this study aims to question the location of UD parameters in physical and social environment throughcinema.