Through Katie and Tex, an animated series which we produce for Tech She Can, we have had the pleasure of creating a character based on a young girl called Ava. Ava has cerebral palsy, and stars as herself in four episodes and counting. Alongside Tech She Can, we are dedicated to ensuring that Ava’s character genuinely reflects her and her personality.
How Ava Became a Character
Ava and her mother were introduced to us through a mutual connection. Both ourselves and Tech She Can, the organisation behind ‘Katie and Tex’, prioritise diversity and aim to increase the representation of women, people of colour, and other minority groups in these animated lessons. We believe that children should see themselves in the stories they watch, whether it’s a child wearing glasses or someone following a different religion. For instance, the series has included characters like a Jewish boy wearing a yarmulke and a girl in a hijab. This is because it is so important for kids to see themselves represented in the media that they see, and we want everyone to be able to see themselves represented when watching Katie and Tex.
Authentic Representation
Authenticity is crucial in having representation that is not tokenistic. We collaborated closely with Ava and her mum to create a character that genuinely reflects Ava’s experiences and personality. Any changes in Ava’s real life are mirrored in her character. For example, Ava had a medical tube in the early episodes but it was later removed in real life, so we updated her character to reflect that change.
Character Development and Consultation
Ava has appeared in four episodes so far, and her character continues to evolve. We always consult with Ava when writing her lines, to ensure her character’s actions and experiences are realistic and true to her perspective. It’s essential for us that Ava is satisfied with her character’s portrayal.
Accessibility and Inclusivity in Production
Each episode of Katie and Tex is designed to meet our accessibility standards. This means using embedded colours and on-screen text that are easy to read. We ensure there isn’t too much movement on screen to avoid overstimulation.
When writing scripts, we ensure that they are easy to read out loud, whilst avoiding ‘dumbing it down’ as Ava records her own lines, bringing her authentic voice and personality to the character. Her curiosity, intelligence and humour, key aspects of her real-life personality, shine through in the episodes.
Katie and Tex is the first animated series in the UK to feature a character with cerebral palsy. This series highlights the importance of diverse backgrounds and religions, encouraging young viewers to develop an interest in STEM.
Ava’s role in Katie and Tex not only gives a disabled character regular representation but also involves her in how she is represented. This collaboration ensures her character remains genuine and inspiring. Our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity ensures that ‘Katie and Tex’ is a series that everyone can enjoy, learn from, and see themselves in.
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Author Bio
Adam Neale has been working in the video industry for over two decades. He has run multiple production companies and has received awards for his work from global film festivals along with a Vimeo Staff Pick and a Webby Award.