Diary of a Goldfish's Brief Guide to The Language of Disability is designed to very briefly explain some of the words used to describe people who experience disability. My friend Rachael tuned me in to this blog and I am challenged by the perspectives and the issues discussed. Challenges are good, if they make you stronger, or more considerate.
See original post here on Diary of a Goldfish. Add your comment to the end.
Disabled People
In the UK, we are usually referred to as disabled people. Many people feel this makes most sense within the context of The Social Model of Disability, which differentiates between impairment (our physical, intellectual, cognitive or psychological limitations) and disability, which we understand to be the practical, political and social barriers which stop us doing what we would otherwise be able to do.
We believe that disability is a societal experience that we are subject to, therefore we are disabled people.
People with Disabilities
In the US and Canada, it seems we are usually referred to as people with disabilities. The idea behind this is to put the people first and the disability second. In this context, disability and impairment are essentially synonymous; disability is understood as a fundamentally medical or physical phenomenon.
So it makes sense to described say people with disabilities as opposed to disabled people in the same way a person with depression is far more dignifying than a depressive person. A medical condition ought not to define a person.
Handicapped People/ People with Handicaps
This word has been demonised among the disabled community in the UK, but some individuals prefer it because of its etymology; the idea that their limitations are necessary in order to make it fair for everybody else. People may also prefer it to disabled because of the way that disabled is used in other contexts. For example, in computer programming disabled means “off”, not currently functioning. Others prefer it because they wish to defy what they perceive as over-sensitivity on the part of some disabled activists.
Differently-Abled
I struggle to argue for this. I guess it is an attempt to neutralise difference or disadvantage; we are after all, all differently-abled in some way. Which poses the question, what is normally-abled? as it were.
Anything with the word “Challenged” or “Special” in it
I have never heard any disabled people refer to themselves as Challenged or Special. Fully prepared to be corrected, I would think that most disabled people find this sort of language patronising. Special, for example, was voted the 5th worst word in Ouch’s Worst Words survey.
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Your response?
See original post here on Diary of a Goldfish. Add your comment to the end.
Disabled People
In the UK, we are usually referred to as disabled people. Many people feel this makes most sense within the context of The Social Model of Disability, which differentiates between impairment (our physical, intellectual, cognitive or psychological limitations) and disability, which we understand to be the practical, political and social barriers which stop us doing what we would otherwise be able to do.
We believe that disability is a societal experience that we are subject to, therefore we are disabled people.
People with Disabilities
In the US and Canada, it seems we are usually referred to as people with disabilities. The idea behind this is to put the people first and the disability second. In this context, disability and impairment are essentially synonymous; disability is understood as a fundamentally medical or physical phenomenon.
So it makes sense to described say people with disabilities as opposed to disabled people in the same way a person with depression is far more dignifying than a depressive person. A medical condition ought not to define a person.
Handicapped People/ People with Handicaps
This word has been demonised among the disabled community in the UK, but some individuals prefer it because of its etymology; the idea that their limitations are necessary in order to make it fair for everybody else. People may also prefer it to disabled because of the way that disabled is used in other contexts. For example, in computer programming disabled means “off”, not currently functioning. Others prefer it because they wish to defy what they perceive as over-sensitivity on the part of some disabled activists.
Differently-Abled
I struggle to argue for this. I guess it is an attempt to neutralise difference or disadvantage; we are after all, all differently-abled in some way. Which poses the question, what is normally-abled? as it were.
Anything with the word “Challenged” or “Special” in it
I have never heard any disabled people refer to themselves as Challenged or Special. Fully prepared to be corrected, I would think that most disabled people find this sort of language patronising. Special, for example, was voted the 5th worst word in Ouch’s Worst Words survey.
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What do you reckon?
How do you refer to people who have inconveniences that make everyday activities more difficult or time consuming than for those who take it for granted that every muscle will do as it's told and every nerve will send the right signal and every exterior stimuli will have the appropriate response made to it?
What is your gut reaction when you sense that someone is different from you?
There are so many "isms" that divide or differentiate between people.
How do you refer to people who have inconveniences that make everyday activities more difficult or time consuming than for those who take it for granted that every muscle will do as it's told and every nerve will send the right signal and every exterior stimuli will have the appropriate response made to it?
What is your gut reaction when you sense that someone is different from you?
There are so many "isms" that divide or differentiate between people.
Your response?
Comments