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Even today, Hollywood producers and directors seem to be cautious about showing disabled people on television. And with so few disabled characters, it’s clear that a large portion of the viewing public isn’t adequately represented in the mainstream media.

Yet some shows do get it. They manage to mix interesting plotlines with believable, disabled characters. Here’s a look at some of the most popular disabled characters—the ones who have helped move their shows to the forefront of modern disabled visibility in media:
 
Jason Street (played by Scott Porter), Friday Night Lights on NBC
In the fist episode of the critically-acclaimed Friday Night Lights, Jason Street suffers an injury that ends his football career and puts him in a wheelchair. As is the case in most stereotypical paraplegic story lines, Jason can’t believe what’s happened to him, gets angry, and pushes away his loyal girlfriend. She begins to drift away and the plot thickens.

To its credit; however, Friday Night Lights takes Jason’s storylines in some unexpected directions and deals frankly with the paraplegic character. Jason does realize there’s a life beyond his disability and considers coaching or teaching. His sex life is even featured prominently in the show.