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The DisabilityWorks,inc. Blog is a place that we will share thoughts and ideas about everything disability related that will impact millions of readers. Our goal is to provide valuable information and resources and expand the conversation on issues ranging from business, healthcare, politics and beyond

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

It's Just Words Silly....

or is it? The disability community over the years have been defined, cateogorized and empowered by the languge used to encapsulate the disability community. Words like cripple, handicapped, disabled or special needs have been the moniker the establishment(i.e the medical/psychiatric and governments) have placed on people over the years who have a physical, cognitive or developmental disability. These words have been helpful for medical practitioners to find the right treatment models and government agencies provide the right benefits and services. While there are many positive aspects to words there has also been dark side in the equation. Like other minority groups language of the disabled has often been derogitory and used to be something hurtful rather than empowering. Yet, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Like other movements people with disabilities are finally taking 'ownership' of the words they use and are embracing the language of disability. Whether it be using phrases like "crip culture" or "gimp"- these words that were once seen as slurs have now come out of the shadows and are part of the lexicon of a progressive social model of disability. We are at a time where the ability to use words has become more democratizing than ever before. With the dawn of the information age people with disabilities are given access to a 'global village' where they can express themselves through the lens of their own particular narrative and explore and develop a new language of disability. On a personal note, one of the most thrilling things for me currently is to see the birth and evolution of a new website called Disaboom (www.disaboom.com/link/jkpr) a lifestyle website that focuses on the ever changing disability community. One of the elements that makes this website unique is its ability to redefine the words and language of disablity in the 21st Century...now how cool is that!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Jonathan,

I tried your email address, but it got bounced back to me, so I thought I'd go the comment route!

I'm hoping to do a sidebar on what working parents can do on the job to get the support they need. I've been speaking with Nadine Vogel of SNAP and Springboard Consulting, who clued me into Business Resource Groups. I thought you might have some great ideas, too!

Thanks so much for your help!

Jennifer

Unknown said...

I forgot to give my email! It's jowens1164@earthlink.net