RE: Accessibility for Deaf

The term "dumb" cannot be divorced from its "stupid" connotations whatever the context, since that is the over-riding use of the word in everyday language. Most people will be aware that many disabled are treated by significant sections of the population as of less intelligence because an incorrect assumption based on their view of the impairment. The use of language can and does reinforce this.

Part of the solution is to challenge those who use these culturally weighted words inappropriately and to encourage a change in language use to neutral or even positive terms.

Given the focus of this list we should not be using cultural weighted language like "dumb", whatever its alternative meanings, because it simply caries to many negative connotations.

Cheers 

Stu