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Language Matters!
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and here at NWDSA we are joining the celebration starting by recognizing tomorrow’s advocacy day around respectful language, the campaign to Spread the Word to End the Word. Let’s join together to help our community understand the impact of words like the “r-word”. We will be posting a series of links over the next couple days from self-advocates, parents and advocates about the power of language!
Here is Portland’s own Eleanor Bailey, speaking out in 2012 about respect and the R-Word. Please share these powerful words.
Inside fun for the little ones during chilly winter months. Multnomah County Library Story Hours are welcoming of all families!
How’s Your News? Election 2012 film screening in Portland, OR. Filmmaker Arthur Bradford with members of NWDSA. How’s Your News is a documentary news program featuring reporters with disabilities.
How to treat people with disabilities
Suggestions by self-advocate and speaker Eleanor Bailey (written when she was in 8th grade)
This is how I want to be treated.
- Treat me with respect.
- Understand that I need to make my own choices.
- Understand that I am capable of working by myself, independently.
- Do not help me all the time because that makes me feel like I am not learning anything.
- If I need help, I can ask for help.
- Don’t boss me around and tell me what to do.
- Treat me like a friend.
- Don’t call me names.
- Respect that I cannot do some physical things because I have a fragile neck.
- Say nice things about me and the things I do – compliments.
- If I tell you I don’t understand, please repeat it. But, please don’t get annoyed with me.
- Don’t tease me or make fun of me.
Other Suggestions
Language – A person who has a disability is a person just like any other person. When you talk about a person with a disability, don’t say their disability first. So, say “the person who is deaf” instead of “the deaf person.” Say “the person who uses the wheelchair”, not “the cripple”. Say “persons with disabilities”, not “the disabled.” Some words about people with disabilities are mean. Don’t use words like dumb, retarded, crazy, deformed, lame and defective.
With a person who is blind – let the person know you there and who you are. If he has a guide dog, don’t play with the guide dog. You can offer help, but don’t help unless the person wants help.
With a person who is deaf – To get the attention of a person who is deaf, you can gently tap the person on the shoulder.
With a person in a wheelchair – Don’t touch the wheelchair without permission. Don’t push the person in the wheelchair unless you have offered to help and the person said she wanted you to help her.
With a person who has trouble talking – If you don’t understand what the person said, ask them to repeat it. Don’t pretend you understand.
Conclusion
You should treat people with disabilities like everyone else. If you aren’t sure if something is okay, you could ask the person with the disability. It is okay to ask questions.
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