Dr. Lane, I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but it's
something I feel very strongly about. A depressingly high percentage of
television and newspaper stories about disabled people are patronizing,
cloyingly "warm and fuzzy," or hopelessly 50's-ish in their medical-model
approach (people are portrayed as "suffering" from or a "victim" of a
disability, "confined" to a wheelchair, and working bravely to overcome
their "handicap" and be like "normal" people. Obviously you're well aware
of the problem.
After years of trying unsuccessfully to change these attitudes locally by
talking about how reporters write about disability, I'm pretty much
convinced that it would be more effective to catch future journalists in
school (as you are doing) and get them to THINK about disability and what it
means personally, socially, politically, sexually, and lots of other ways.
-Dick Jacobs
-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Nancy Lane [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 12:14 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: disability language
I have been asked to give one lecture on writing about disability in an
under-graduate course on journalism. My field of expertise in regard to
disability is primarily in religion, theology and spirituality. Since I
live with a disability I know some of the areas I want to cover. However, I
am not sure I am up to date on language issues--although I read the posts on
language with interest. While I have my own thoughts on language, I would
appreciate some suggestions to consider and ref to any articles or
books/chapters that are "not to be missed" for future journalists.
Any other thoughts on points I should cover are welcome. My primary point
will cover how negative and stereotypical language perpetuate negative
attitudes and myths about people with disabilities.
Thanks, (The Rev.) Nancy Lane, Ph.D.
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