Welcome to the Props No More Podcast, a production of the Global Alliance for Disability and Media and Entertainment (GADIM) and Disability Rights Podcasts.
In this first episode, host Matt Shedd speaks with Leah Smith, Director of Public Relations for GADIM, about the forthcoming Props No More documentary. They discuss how disabled people have too often been used as “props” in media, why authentic representation matters, and how accurate portrayals can shape public attitudes, reduce stigma, and even influence life-or-death policy decisions.
Learn more at propsnomore.org
Explore GADIM at gadim.org
00:00:04 – Opening: “Our lives aren’t worth living” narrative
00:00:35 – Show intro & series overview
00:01:43 – Guest intro: Leah Smith (GADIM)
00:02:08 – What is “Props No More”? (film + platform)
00:02:58 – What “prop” means in disability representation
00:04:20 – Impact on kids: stigma, erasure, and villains
00:06:10 – Why creators with disabilities must shape stories
00:07:46 – How the project evolved & went global
00:09:39 – Leah’s path into comms, PR, and policy
00:14:33 – Barriers: skills training & “what sells” in media
00:17:37 – Against the “inspiration” trope (buying milk ≠ heroic)
00:20:46 – The feedback loop & naming disability
00:23:19 – Misconceptions, pregnancy reactions, job bias
00:25:59 – Accessibility: captions, audio description, ASL
00:29:20 – Journalism pitfalls: headlines & mental health stigma
00:33:31 – Politics & policy
00:37:43 – GADIM’s vision: toolkits, style guide, documentary
00:39:48 – Momentum, UN conversations, global learning
00:41:31 – Outro & where to learn more