Advocacy - Step Up to the Plate!

Right now I am taking a Special Education class for my Master's program and we were assigned to write advocacy letters to local or national news stations that had not used person-first language when referring to those individuals with disabilities or special needs.  What is person-first language, you ask?  Well, the basic idea is for you to refer to the individual first and the disability second.  Thus, the person is not defined by their disability.  Here are examples of proper and improper use of person-first language:

Improper - "The Autistic man went to the store."
Proper - "The young man with autism went to the store."

Below is the advocacy letter I wrote earlier in the semester for a frame of reference.  I hope that more of us, not even simply the educators out there, will step up and be advocates for this individuals with disabilities and encourage the use of person-first language.

"Dear KSL,

I am writing in regards to a recent KSL 5 story entitled “Intellectually disabled need advocates.”  This story contains jargon and attitudes that are demeaning and generally offensive, as not all individuals with intellectual disabilities can be lumped together using such generalized statements.  Although many of the quotations and ideas were taken from Billinger and her advocate, Proctor, there are certain sentiments that I believe should not be used in the future.  

When discussing those with special needs and disabilities, it is not appropriate to use phrases such as, “[she has] the mental capacity of that of an 8 year old.”  By reducing his or her abilities to those of a certain age, stigma is created, and the individual is seen as merely a number.  Also, Proctor’s assessment that, “People with intellectual disabilities think differently and need to be treated differently,” is, in fact, the opposite of what most advocates support.  The idea that it is somehow necessary to treat individuals with disabilities differently generates feelings or acts of segregation.  It is possible to make accommodations in numerous cases, including those involving people without intellectual disabilities.  Therefore, each individual situation should be assessed thoroughly and specific accommodations should be made based on that particular individual and their disability.   Grouping all those who have any level of disability together is an insult to those on different intellectual levels, even if they are still in some ways, challenged.  

I recognize that the intent of this story was to inform the public and promote proper advocacy.  However, in the future, I urge you to choose terminology and language more carefully, being mindful that all individuals with disabilities are not the same.  Their differences make them who they are, and our ability to recognize and appreciate those differences will help to break down the walls of misunderstanding.  It is then that we will truly look at them for what they are - complete individuals.

Thank you for your future willingness to truly advocate for all individuals.

Sincerely,

Linze  -------"