Dear Joyce and All,
As far as I am aware, the French term 'handicape(e)', which seems to be the standard word for disabled does not seem to have the same negative connotations as 'handicapped'.  (The term handicapped itself seems to be acceptable in USA, but not UK.)  I have also found it difficult to discover whether personnes handicapees (disabled people) is preferable to handicape(e)s (the disabled) and there is also the vexed question of gender neutral language.  Not all disabled people are male.  There is then the issue of which (people) with impairment specific words are acceptable, which ones are unacceptable and which ones are preferable in different languages.  Or is impairment specific language by its nature medical model?  I also get the impression that language politics is more developed/more of an issue in some countries and/or languages than others.  Hopefully this will develop everyone, but needs to develop from inside rather than outside.  At least websites etc allow you to easily update language usage as you become aware of better options.
Marion         




On 21/06/2011 16:36, Joyce Cook wrote:
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Dear Colleagues

_Centre for Access to Football in Europe_

Please can anyone help with some guidance or signposting?

We are a European wide NGO working in football to improve access for fans. You 
can find some more information on our website @ www.cafefootball.eu 
<http://www.cafefootball.eu>

I have 3 questions please.

Firstly. We are trying to encourage the use of social model terms and language 
amongst the European football family. To this end, we are suggesting 
alternatives to specifically offensive medical and stereotypical words such as 
‘handicapped’ and ‘invalid’. However, when looking for social model alternatives 
within the French language it seems that no such alternatives exist. We would 
like to translate the term ‘disabled person’ but there is (as far as we are 
aware) simply no French word for ‘disabled’ according to our translators and 
local contacts in France and Belgium. Please could someone advise?

Secondly. Please can anyone provide me with papers/information about current 
practices of categorising disabled people across Europe (ideally beyond the EU) 
as we cover the UEFA region of 53 countries? We’ve noted the recent 
interest/discussions to consider a European disabled person’s ID card. I believe 
that this was discussed at last year’s EU EDPD Conference which I missed because 
of grounded flights. As I understand, there was a motion to proceed with this 
idea. I am aware of some countries that have such ID. It’s not something that we 
are at all excited by – very medical model. Some disabled fans want to see the 
introduction of an ID card but we are not so sure. We would like to understand 
this concept and level of practice in more detail.

Thirdly. Many football clubs seek ‘proof of disability’ for disabled fans who 
require a PA ticket (free of charge) as a reasonable adjustment to attend 
matches. Is there any guidance or precedence for such practice? The Blue Badge 
scheme in the UK seems to be the closest example where proof and/or a doctor’s 
assessment letter is required to obtain an accessible parking badge. A number of 
large service providers (events and museums, etc.) seek proof wherever they deem 
there to be any doubt!!! It’s a complex area with much debate. The advice we 
have received for the UK is that a service provider could/should only seek proof 
where there is considerable doubt about eligibility. However, most clubs seem to 
do this as a matter of routine. Legislation in this regard varies (or is 
completely non-existent) across the wider European region. It’s a red hot potato 
and we are trying to find the right way forward.

Many thanks for any assistance with any/all of the 3 questions.

Very best

Joyce

*Joyce Cook*

*Managing Director*

*CAFE - Centre for Access to Football in Europe <http://www.cafefootball.eu/>*

*Total Football Total Access*

Registered Charity No. 1131339
PO Box 145, FLINT, CH6 9DH, United Kingdom

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