Say: disabled.
Not only is it ok to say “disabled” and “disability,” many of us who identify as disabled would prefer you use that term instead of:
• “special needs” – my needs aren’t special; they are real and very much basic and what is needed to survive.
• “less abled” – no, I am not less abled. The term disability draws from the social, medical, community and other models and is meaningful to me as someone who believes disabilty rights are civil rights and feels disabilty justice in my soul.
• “differently abled” - everybody has different abilities. Don’t tap dance around disability.
Disabilty is part of my identity and you can’t take that away.
I was scrolling through posts on LinkedIn this morning, and a week or so ago, someone posted a picture of a city blocking accessible street parking so restaurants could extend outdoor seating. They noted how this affected disabled people. A person who is not disabled responded, “I’m not fond of the phrase ‘disabled’ … ‘dis’ is very negative opposite word tag. I much prefer and always use ‘less abled.’ Try using it when talking generally. In my mind, folk are just less abled in some way, not completely unable, still mentally able and still unrecognizable less able.”
The response polices language of a disabled person. Who uses the term disability.
Look, disabled people are not a monolith, and some don’t like or use that the term disabled. But largely, there is a movement to say the word.
Say “disability.” It’s not a bad word.
#disability #language #SayDisabled
Update April 21: I can no longer keep up with the comments. Additionally, this post has attracted negative, nonproductive comments by internet "trolls." Therefore, I have restricted commenting and, at this time, am considering restricting viewing of this post.
I never expected or intended this post to receive the attention it did. Frankly, most of my posts receive a few looks, if that. If you follow me, great. I'm just a journalist, building a news organization with a mission of accessibility. Most of my posts are about that. This wasn't a political statement; this was 7:30 a.m. reaction to seeing someone once again police disabled folks' language. That's all.
This is why we can't have nice things.
Great news and some great faces in the photo who have already and will continue to amplify DEI profile at ITV