Reply to Tell me more about the School Board election process

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote] But disability shouldn't be a word that we're afraid to say.[/quote]

So, why did they change it from "disability" to "special needs?"

Sorry, but "disabled" brings a very clear vision of someone who is not capable.  I taught many kids with learning issues--but all of them were capable of learning.

A totally new term is needed.  Disabled conjures up "handicapped."

There is a vast range of kids who have "special needs."  Some need a little assistance and some need constant assistance.  I don't have the answer, by the way--but I don't like "disabled."

[/quote]

It was never changed from "disability" to "special needs."

The term "special needs" just evolved as a less offensive version of the r-word to refer to intellectually disabled people. 50 years ago, using the term "special needs" was somewhat revolutionary. But words change meaning and I think given that the vast consensus among all the disability advocacy organizations is not to use the term, we just shouldn't.

I think it's offensive to the disability community if when you are saying how much you support them, you can't even refer to them with the correct terminology. If someone can't even listen and learn about something as simple as terminology, I don't have high hopes for them to actually listen to advocates for students with disabilities. I don't know if this candidate just doesn't know the harm that terminology causes, or whether she is in fact deliberately choosing to use outdated language, but either way, I expect a lot more of school board candidates. And I don't say that from a partisan lens at all, this issue isn't nearly as bad as when KKG used the r-word multiple times and gave a half-hearted apology. [/quote]

Sorry but I am far less offended by someone referring to my kid receiving services as "special needs" than "disabled"

Disabled seems like a slur, or a conscious limitation of my kid and others like them.

Special needs describes their need for additional services to reach their full potential.[/quote]

That is the problem! We have stigmatized the word "disabled" so much by not saying it.[/quote]

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