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Show THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 18 Volume V, Issue VIII February 1, 2002 People First Language By Kathie Snow Who are the so-called handicapped? Society’s myths tell us they are: People who “suffer” from the “tragedy of birth defects” “Paraplegic heroes” who “struggle” to become “normal” again “Victims” who “fight” to “over come” their conditions categorically: the so-called disabled, retarded, autistic, blind, deaf, learning disabled, and more Who are they really? They are moms and dads and sons and daughters, employees and employers, scientists, friends and neighbors, movie stars, leaders and followers, students and teachers . . . they are people. They are people first. An old Chinese Proverb says, “The beginning of wisdom it to call things by their right names.” Are you myopic, or do you wear glasses? Are you cancerous, or do you have cancer? Are you freckled, or do you have freckles? Are you handicapped/disabled, or do you have a disability? People First Language describes what a person has, not what a person is! People First Language puts the person before the disability! Disability is not the “problem.” The U.S. Developmental Disabilities Act & The Bill of Rights Act, 1993, states, “Disability is a natural part of the human experience . . . “ We need to rid our vocabulary of the word “problem” when talking about people’s needs. A person with glasses doesn’t say, “I have a problem seeing.” She says, “I wear (or need) glasses.” Recognize that what we call a “problem” is actually a need. The real problems are attitudinal and environmental barriers. If educators—and our society at large—perceived children with disabilities as individuals who have the potential to learn, who have the need for the same education as their brothers and sisters, and who have a future in the adult world of work, we wouldn’t have to fight for inclusive education. If employers—and our society at large—believed adults with disabilities have valuable job skills and contribute to the success of a business, we wouldn’t have to fight for real jobs for real pay in the real community. If business owners—and our society at large—viewed people with disabilities as consumers with money to spend, we wouldn’t have to fight for accessible entrances and other accommodations. In our society, “handicapped” and “disabled” are all-encompassing terms that are misused. People with hearing or vision impairments don’t need “handicapped” parking or restrooms. Many people with physical disabilities do need accessible parking and accessible restrooms. If a “handicapped” entrance has a ramp for people who use wheel chairs, does the doorway have Braille signage for people with visual impairments? Accommodations that enable people with disabilities to access a facility—regardless of their disabilities—are accessible! “Disabled” is not accurate, either. Our society “corrupts” language. When a traffic reporter describes a traffic jam, we often hear, “There’s a disabled vehicle on the highway.” “Disabled,” in this context, means “broken down.” People with disabilities are not broken! If a new toaster doesn’t work, we say, “It’s defective!” and we return it and get a new one! Do we return babies who have birth “defects”? The respectful term is “congenital disability.” It’s time we understand the power of language. When we misuse words, we reinforce the barriers created by negative and stereotypical attitudes. When we refer to people with disabilities by medical diagnoses, we devalue and disrespect them as members of the human race. Disability labels are simply sociopolitical terms that provide a passport to services. For too long, labels have been used to define the value and potential of people who are labeled. People will live up (or down) to our expectations. If we expect people with disabilities to succeed, we cannot let labels stand in their way. We must not let labels destroy the hopes and dreams of people with disabilities and their families. Disability can be defined as a body function that operates differently. Contrast that meaning with: The origin of “handicap,” from the dictionary, which refers to “hand in cap,” a game where the losing player was considered to be at a disadvantage; and a legendary origin of the word which refers to a person with a disability having to beg on the street with “cap in hand.” “Handicapped,” “Disabled,” or People with Disabilities: which description is most accurate? Using “handicapped,” and even “disabled,” typically evokes negative feelings (sadness, pity, fear, and more) and creates a stereotypical perception that people with disabilities are all alike. All people who have brown hair are not alike. All people who have disabilities are not alike. In fact, people with disabilities are more like people without disabilities than different! The disability community is the largest minority group in the nation, and it’s all inclusive! It includes people of both genders and of all ages, as well as individuals from all religions, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels. About the only things people with disabilities have in common with one another are: having a body part that is different, and; facing prejudice and discrimination. Unique to the disability community is that it’s the only minority group that any American can join in the split second of an accident. If and when it happens to you, will you have more in common with others with disabilities, or with your family, friends, and co-workers? Many people who do not now have a disability, will have one in the future. Others will have a family member or friend who acquires a disability. If LANGUAGE cont. on page 19 PUBLIC NOTICE The First Annual H-E-L Valley Telephone Directory will be available in most Valley businesses after February 4th. FRE E Remember, the book is a special thanks to all who helped make this directory possible. Please one book per family. |