Texas Group Working to Change Disability Language Stereotypes
By
Joe
Olvera, El Paso, TX
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The State of Texas - in working to integrate more people with disabilities into mainstream society - has opted to do what many disability organizations across the United States are already doing - that is, working to change at least one aspect of the burdens with which disabled people must contend. Namely, to change the language and lexicon used when discussing people who have disabilities.
The Texas Department of Developmental Disabilities, through its Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities (TCDD), wants for non-disabled people to stop referring to people with disabilities under traditionally negative terms. New language is being perpetually being created and promoted by disability advocates that the advocates hope will help diminish some of the negative connotations associated with language used today.
On the TCDD website, Executive Director Roger Webb, says that although the State of Texas did not invent people-first language, it behooves the state to promote its use, a move that will definitely better serve Texans with disabilities. Webb takes to heart Mark Twain's famous words, "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug."
To that effect, the People First Language Program strives to teach non-disabled people the proper terms with which to refer to people who have disabilities. "People with disabilities are - first and foremost - people," Webb said. "These may be people who have individual abilities, interests, and needs, but they are people."
Webb continued, "For the most part, they are ordinary individuals seeking to live ordinary lives. People with disabilities are moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbors, coworkers, students and teachers. About 49 million Americans - one out of every five individuals - have a disability. Their contributions enrich our communities and society as they live, work, and share their lives."
Webb wants language to reflect that people with disabilities are more than simply individuals who have challenges in their lives. To that end, the language Webb wants for Texans to adopt helps to emphasize each person's value, their individuality, dignity and capabilities.
Webb said people with disabilities have historically been regarded as individuals to be pitied, feared or ignored. "They have been portrayed as helpless, as victims, repulsive adversaries, heroic individuals who have overcome tragedy, and as charity cases who must depend on others for their well being and care," according to Webb.
He believes the media perpetuates stereotypes about people with disabilities as well. "For the most part, media entities present heartwarming features and inspirational stories that help to reinforce stereotypes, and patronize and underestimate an individual's capabilities. However, all that is changing, thanks to efforts by groups like the TCDD," Webb remarked.
New laws, disability activism and expanded coverage of disability issues are starting to redefine public awareness and knowledge. This has helped eliminate the worst stereotypes and representations. Yet, not everyone has bought into the new realities. Stereotypes, attitudes, and experiences die hard.
To help non-disabled Texans understand the problems caused by such stereotypes, the language must change. Accurate portrayals of people with disabilities must present respectful, positive views of individuals as active participants in society. Also, people with disabilities themselves must focus more on issues that affect their quality of life, including accessible transportation, housing, affordable health care and employment opportunities.
Appropriate Language
To that end, People First Language wants all Texans - and indeed all Americans, to be conscious of language when discussing issues that impact on people with disabilities. For example, don't call people with disabilities 'the handicapped,' or 'the disabled.' They are people, so refer to them as 'people/individuals with disabilities; an adult who has a disability, or a child with a disability.'
Don't describe people without disabilities as 'normal people/healthy individuals.' Instead refer to them as 'people/individuals without disabilities.' Don't refer to people who have mental illness as 'the mentally retarded; retarded people; a Mongoloid, or a Mongol.' Instead, say that they are people with "a mental illness, a person who has an emotional disability, or a person with a psychiatric illness or disability."
In other words, think of people with disabilities as people first, not as disabled first. The disability is there but the disability doesn't make the person, nor does it become the be-all for an individual with a disability. When referring to people who may not have the ability to hear, or speak, don't say that they are 'deaf' or 'dumb.' Say that he or she is 'a person who is deaf and cannot speak, a person who has a speech disorder, who uses a communication device, or who uses synthetic speech.'
By the same token, don't call people who has a mobility impairment, 'a person who is wheelchair bound, or a person who is confined to a wheelchair, or a cripple.' Rather, the proper terminology would be 'a person who uses a wheelchair, people who have a mobility impairment, or a person who walks on crutches.' Again, the disability does not identify the person. The person identifies the disability. People who use mobility tools to get around are as intelligent and aware as someone who does not have a mobility impairment.
The list of ways to refer to people with disabilities is rather extensive. However, Webb said that it is his wish that the language would change within the next generation. In the meantime, be sensitive when choosing the words to use. Recognize that people with disabilities are ordinary people with common goals for a home, a job and a family. Talk about people in ordinary terms.
Also, never equate a person with a disability - such as referring to someone as retarded, an epileptic or quadriplegic. These labels are simply medical diagnoses. Use People First Language to tell what a person has, not what a person is. By the same token, try to emphasize abilities not limitations. For example, say that a man walks with crutches, not that he is crippled; avoid negative words that imply tragedy, such as afflicted with, suffers, victim, prisoner and unfortunate.
In short, recognize that a disability is not a challenge to be overcome, and don't say people succeed in spite of a disability. Ordinary things and accomplishments do not become extraordinary just because they are done by a person with a disability. What is extraordinary are the lengths people with disabilities have to go through and the barriers they have to overcome to do the most ordinary things.
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