Entering 2011, I have been thinking a lot about images of disability and how so often popular culture presents them with such varying degrees from the transcendent to the grotesque. Over the past several months we have been privy to these two extremes within the popular consciousness.

Television is offering shows like “Glee” and “Parenthood” giving Americans a broader scope of the lives of persons with disabilities ranging from autism to downs syndrome to those with physical disabilities.  These shows provide a real glimpse into the lives of these kids who may have their daily struggles with their disabilities but demonstrate that they are in fact thriving, leading full and productive lives.

More recently, Hollywood has given us such fare as “The King’s Speech” and “Temple Grandin,” both based on real-life individuals who were able to adapt to their disabilities and excel in their current situations by meeting the challenges set in front of them and flourish. Each of these stories shed new light on the disability experience providing a clear message of the possible.

As a person with a disability, I think parents should take note that these television shows and films offer a teachable moments for their children serving as a blueprint to better understanding that kids with disabilities are in fact still just kids and are not much different than their peers with the same wants, needs and desires.

While exploring these thoughts I was struck by the violent shootings in Tucson, Arizona, seeing the face of Jared Lee Loughner strewn across the TV set and hearing the phrase mentally ill attached. My heart sunk sank, not only for this truly horrible tragedy but the fact that once again the image of mental illness is associated with violence. Mental illness is the ‘invisible disability’ and is probably the most misunderstood.

It angered me that many news outlets were offered this great moment to delve into mental health issues in there reporting which impacts millions of Americans but failed miserably. We need to have an open discussion of mental illness and mental health issues to discover what this really means and whom it truly affects. I think many people would be shocked to realize that it is more prevalent than they know.

My hope is that this year we can begin a real dialogue that focuses on tolerance, understanding and acceptance. In my estimation this begins in our schools and at home with our children. In the end, we’ll only be better off in a society that embraces diversity and sees, that despite our differences, there is a lot of commonality.

Jonathan J. Kaufman, PhD, is President of DisabilityWorks, inc. (www.disabilityworks.com), a strategy/consulting firm based in New York City focusing on issues of disability and aging with corporations, governments, educational institutions and non-profits. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Jonathan's disability has been a profound part of his personal, academic and professional life. Follow on twitter @disabilityworks