Brutkey

Emeritus Prof Christopher May
@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us

As Jamie Shields argues, self-identifiying is an important aspect of disabled people's autonomy:

'If someone chooses “Disabled person” or “person with a Disability,” “autistic” or “person on the spectrum,” “blind” or “person with sight loss”, that’s theirs. Not yours, but theirs....

We don’t need more debates about which words are “right.” We need more respect for each individual’s right to choose'

#disability #identity #language

h/t LinkedIn

A Disabled by Society graphic titled “12 things to remember about self-identifying” with colorful illustrations next to each point. The points are: It’s an individual’s choice – person in wheelchair waving. There is no wrong answer – a parent walking with their child who is wearing blade on their leg. And no right answer – a person of short statue playing basketball. Stop correcting people – woman in hijab standing confidently with a walking aid. Language varies across regions – person painting with no upper limbs, using their mouth to hold their paintbrush and paint. Social factors can influence – person with a prosthetic hand pouring a cuppa. Or personal feelings – two friends signing at a café. A person might change language – man watering plants whilst using his cane. And that’s perfectly fine – person walking a guide dog. It’s their lived experience – woman with a prosthetic arm walking confidently. Their right to self-identify – person at a laptop smiling with coffee. Let the individual choose – elderly person with a walker standing proudly.