Katy, because of the reasons you cite - putting the person first, I too thought it was correct to say 'people/students with disabilities' and I have been saying this all my working life until recently when I was also corrected and told - no, it's 'disabled people/students'............dunno if this helps or confuses!!
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From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of Katy Mann
Sent: Fri 25/04/2008 16:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Social v. Medical Model Terminology
Dear All,
I know this one comes up periodically but I would be interested in what people know to be the latest thinking on this. At a meeting this week a member of staff said in a meeting for an external organisation, she was told that the correct terminology was 'disabled people' and not 'people with disabilties' when she used the term 'people with disabilties' she sent on disability awareness training!
My understanding was that the most up to date term was 'people with disabilities' (and that this fits in with the social model) because you are a person first. My colleague was told that it now 'Disabled people' is 'correct' because a person is 'disabled' by society.
While I believe that use of appropriate terminology is important, I am wary of becoming a hostage to 'PC' ness but would be interested on hearing what the latest collective thinking is regarding appropriate terminology.
Many thanks. Enjoy the weekend.
Katy
Katy Mann
Disability Adviser (West End sites)
Room CG80, Chiltern Building
University of Westminster
35 Marylebone Road
London NW1 5LS
Tel: 020 7915 5456 Fax: 020 7915 5439
www.wmin.ac.uk/disability
The University of Westminster is a charity and a company limited by guarantee. Registration number: 977818 England. Registered Office: 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2UW.
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