- From: Gregg Vanderheiden <po@trace.wisc.edu>
- Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 18:55:36 -0500
- To: "'Kynn Bartlett'" <kynn@idyllmtn.com>, <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Hi Kynn, It happens to all of us when we first venture forth into a new culture - any culture. Some short form guidelines off the top of my head for referring to people who have disabilities 1) you can't please everyone 2) you can avoid pejorative terms or phrases that are widely disliked 3) use the standard "people term" (e.g. person, user, programmer, shopper, etc) first and a descriptor second ( e.g. - a user who is blind rather than a blind user - an shopper who is hard of hearing or deaf rather than a deaf shopper - a discount for members with a disability rather than for disabled members. 4) Use "hard of hearing" or "deaf" rather than "hearing impaired" (Many do not see or think of themselves as being impaired, just different.) 5) Use "low vision" or "blind(ness)" rather than "visually impaired" 6) Do not use "handicapped" ( it derives from cap-in-hand") 7) Do not use "challenged" (it is suggested by some but most find it patronizing) 8) Try to avoid referring to "the blind", or "the disabled" ( again use "people who are blind or have a disability") 9) Try to discuss people who have disabilities as "those of us with disabilities" rather than as "them" There are some great pieces written on this. I'll look for the references. Gregg -- ------------------------------ Gregg C Vanderheiden Ph.D. Professor - Human Factors Dept of Ind. Engr. - U of Wis. Director - Trace R & D Center Gv@trace.wisc.edu, http://trace.wisc.edu/ FAX 608/262-8848 For a list of our listserves send "lists" to listproc@trace.wisc.edu
Received on Tuesday, 29 September 1998 19:50:29 UTC