When Writing about Disabilities

As a DeafBlind writer, when I'm not immersed in crafting or researching my stories, I enjoy reading others' perspectives on disabled individuals. However, much of the content I encounter is both frustrating and ableist, continuing to cast disabled people in a negative light through the choice of words.

I must clarify that the opinions I express here are personal. As someone living with dual disabilities and a chronic illness, I recognize that others may have their own preferred labels and identities.

Abandoning "Person First Language"

The concept of "Person First Language" has been present for decades, originating in the 1980s and 1990s. The Person First approach emphasizes phrasing that prioritizes the individual over their condition or disability.

According to this approach, I should be referred to as "a woman with a hearing loss who faces visual challenges."

*impatiently glances at my watch while waiting for this convoluted phrasing to conclude*

What a mouthful indeed. I'm DeafBlind – it's that simple. We need to shift towards "Identity First Language."

Identity first language emphasizes the disability as an integral part of a person's identity, not a detached and trivial aspect. This approach challenges the societal avoidance of addressing disability and validates the identity of disabled individuals, celebrating the diverse spectrum of human experiences.

Reducing my DeafBlindness to mere "medical conditions" is inadequate. Being DeafBlind profoundly influences every facet of my existence – from daily activities to my worldview, thoughts, reactions, and more.

This reality is my constant companion, and I embrace it wholeheartedly.

Negative Connotations: A Source of Discomfort

One particular aspect that deeply troubles me is how writers and journalists often describe disabled people:

- "Coping with..."

- "Inflicted with..."

- "Overcoming..."

- "Wheelchair-bound..."

- "Struggles with..."

These word choices insinuate that disability is inherently negative, a form of punishment or curse, and a burden to bear.

We must shift our focus towards acceptance. The majority of disabled individuals have embraced their identity, achieving remarkable accomplishments and experiencing genuine joy.

I once encountered a woman who remarked, "You can't be disabled; you look happy."

We are living vibrant lives, despite the fact that our "normal" diverges from society's expectations. It's high time we altered this narrative.

Excessive Political Correctness: A Source of Frustration

It's disheartening to witness journalists contriving peculiar terms to soften the impact of my disability:

- Nonhearing

- Hearingless

- Hearing Challenged

- Handicapable

- Differently-Abled

- Diversely-Abled

Would you kindly cease and desist?

It's simply Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or the inclusive term "hearing loss." "Hearing Impaired" is offensive to many within the Deaf community. (Of course, it's crucial to respect an individual's chosen labels if they opt for this term.)

Employing terms like Handicapable, Differently-Abled, or Diversely-Abled is an attempt to portray disability positively by accentuating the "ABLE" aspect. Regrettably, this approach perpetuates an "us versus them" mentality, marginalizing disabled individuals.

Embracing Fearlessness

Having a disability is neither taboo nor shameful, nor is it harmful or contagious. (You'd be amazed by how people turn pale and retreat when they discover I'm DeafBlind.)

Fear breeds control.

While it might seem that the days of institutionalizing and isolating disabled individuals, along with forced sterilization, are bygones, the grim reality is they persist.

A woman with Down Syndrome endured forced sterilization without consent as recently as 2010! Astonishingly, thirty-one states and Washington D.C. still uphold laws allowing forced sterilization today.

Society's urge to exert control over what it fears or doesn't understand exacts a heavy toll on disabled lives. It impedes access to employment, housing, healthcare, transportation, communication – every aspect of life.

Employing respectful language to describe disabled individuals as they wish can help mitigate this fear and foster understanding.

A Simple Request: Seek Guidance

When discussing disability, I implore writers to seek guidance from disabled individuals regarding positive phrasing, accurate terminology, and their unique narratives. Conduct interviews with multiple individuals, engage with their social media communities, and conduct thorough research.

Better yet, consider enlisting a disabled writer to undertake the story. Resources like Disabled Writers and the Disability Visibility Project offer lists of talented writers.

I envision a future where I can read uplifting stories about disabled individuals. A future where society views disability as a facet of diversity, not a constraint.

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Feel free to use and adapt this revised text as you see fit. It's important to continue raising awareness about respectful language and representation of disabled individuals in the media and literature. Your perspective and advocacy are valuable contributions towards positive change.