Disabilities in the media

When I read articles in the newspaper about buildings that need to be brought up to code because it's not accessible to the handicaped, I've noticed that the quotes usually come from people who arent' handicaped. Until I started taking journalism classes I never quesitoned this. Now, it is completley clear that these sources aren't all valid. I can understand asking the person responsible for the building questions, but we should also see how the handicaped would respond. They probably have some great ideas for store owners as to how they could make their establishment more handicap friendly.
In this blog I have said the word handicaped many times. I'm not sure if this is the proper label to give them, so this in another subject that needs to be researched before writing and publishing an article.
As for as the media, I think they do use steretypes for these people simply because they have not done their research. I realize there are deadlines, but when it comes to being fair to all of your readers there are certain things that need to be done.