Hello everyone,
I need to comment on the term "consumer" which is commonly used here in
Canada. Thus, we have the "disabled consumers movement" and "disabled
consumers." I really appreciate Shelley's comment yesterday saying
that not all Canadians align themselves with this terminology which
implicitly references capitalist economics, and I want to add that I
would be very happy if the disability rights movement stopped using the
term altogether. I find it highly problematic and also offensive that
the DRM privileges purchasing power while implicitly suggesting that
disability rights is ONLY about the right to buy things/services. For
me, disability rights is about much more than the right to choose what I
buy. While I could go on about this, as it is an issue that bothers
me, I think I made my point.
Regarding the terms "disabled people" vs. "people with disabilities," I
wonder if anyone has given any thought to "people living with
disabilities"? The latter term is similar to what has been adopted by
many AIDS activists, who talk about "people living with AIDS." Using th
term PLWD gets away from the debate about whether we are "people" first
and recognizes that regardless, disability is an issue that
significantly affects our lives.
Best regards,
Sharon
Sharon Dale Stone, Ph.D.
Dept. of Sociology
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, Ont.
P7B 5E1
Tel (807) 343-8530
Fax (807) 346-7831
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