Hello Keith and everybody,
I agree with you on the importance of language with regards to people
with disabilities. As a parent of a child with intellectual
disabilities I am very aware of the impact of negative language. Could
you please tell me where I can access the terminology of the 1981
Education Act. I presume it is a UK piece of legislation.
Thanks,
Kathy from Brisbane Australia.
On Sun, 7 Mar
1999, Keith Ripley wrote:
> Dismay at the language surrounding children with Special educational needs
>
> Am I just a pedant, or are there others whose spirits sink when they open
> newly published books, from the likes of the Open University & others
> (e.g. Mackinnon, D et al 1997 Education in Western Europe. Facts & figures
> ) & find these terms used physically & mentally disadvantaged (page
> 13) severity of the child, handicap or problem mild mental handicap,
> serious mental handicap (page28).
>
> A book such as this could be published in the UK using either the
> terminology of the 1981 Education Act or the current terminology used to
> define schools in this country. It could include a glossary of terms
> highlighting the variations across European countries, & a statement from
> 1 or more organizations for disabled people, stating why they do not want
> to be known as handicapped, & the term(s) that they do prefer.
>
> The Open University & other publishing bodies have a duty to educate as
> well as to maintain standards. This includes challenging sloppy &
> inaccurate use of language, such as special needs oh for a world where
> people did not refer to themselves as oh I work with special needs, as
> though children in this country exist in 2 separate bodies & that such
> categorization could inform so completely ..
>
> If Im the only one who feels like this I promise I will desist from
> highlighting such facts in student assignments.
>
> Yours hopefully,
>
> Keith Ripley [log in to unmask]
>
>
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|