[IrelandVIPNews] Re: Wording on notices
- From: "Sabrina McKiernan" <sabmckiernan@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <irelandvipnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:01:39 +0100
Hi guys,
I just think that perception is influenced by many factors. for example, our
social status, background, Culture and more importantly our particular mood
on the day.
I suppose too we haven't had access to the particular leaflet. it would just
be interesting to see what context the word is written in.
Thanks
Sabrina
-----Original Message-----
From: irelandvipnews-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:irelandvipnews-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Ulla Quayle
Sent: 12 July 2006 12:33
To: irelandvipnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [IrelandVIPNews] Re: Wording on notices
Hi Tony
Well done you. I think the below e-mail says it all. You put that
excellently.
Ulla
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Murray [mailto:tony.g.murray@xxxxxx]
Sent: 12 July 2006 10:38
To: Ireland VIP News
Subject: [IrelandVIPNews] Re: Wording on notices
Hi,
I really tried to hold off on commenting, but I have to... because I'm
mouthy, ya know?
First up, I have to agree with Nicky, Maria and Rosaleen. Now there's
something, Murray agreeing with someone!:)
I don't consider myself handicapped, certainly not. This is an outdated
word, which should, and for the most part, has been phased out. Why is
that? Because it's not accurately descriptive, it's offensive, and sh*t
man,
it's just not the way to talk or think about anyone. I have no time for
the
political correctness bullsh*ttery, call a spade a spade etc, but
calling a
blind person handicapped doesn't fit. Indeed, calling anyone
handicapped is
offensive in my book. It just sort of grates, ya know?
So Nicky, for my money, keep up the good fight. Is this a step back?
Absolutely. If shops associated with the NCBI are calling us
Handicapped,
you're right that's a step back. Keep fighting the good fight my man!
Does perception matter? Of course it does. Let's not be ridiculous. If
someone thinks of all Blind people as being 'handicapped', that matters!
It's the connotations, it's the images it conjures up. If you're happy
to
be thought of as being handicapped, and called handicapped, perhaps
you'd
like St. Joseph's school to return to being called an Asylum? After all,
it's just a word. It's just perception. Get me?
All of us know it's not an asylum (or is it), but who cares if everyone
else thinks it is. "Sure don't all handicapped blind people just make
baskets?" Well, no, but since we are handicapped, and we do attend an
asylum, why not? These are stereotypes, these are perceptions, these are
what words like 'handicapped' bring to people's minds. If you think
they
don't, well in my opinion, you're very very wrong.
Life, thinking, perception, everything is all about associations.
Here's
one, what do you think of when you hear (or read) the word 'cripple'?
What
do you associate it with? You're thinking of someone in a wheelchair
right?... Or someone who uses crutches? You're not thinking about this
guy
Bill who can't walk so good, but he's a shit hot rocket scientist who
can't
press the accelerator on his Porsh but has a device which reads his
thoughts
to 'go faster!'. It's association. Cripple = a wheelchair user,
nothing
else.
How about 'homeless'? You're thinking someone dirty, a beggar, probably
a
junky?
What about a 'comedian? Yeah, someone funny, bit of an eejit? Good to
laugh
at.
Associations, connections, stereotypes. Everybody needs to fit people
in to
various categories. It's human nature. We all belong to some 'group'
or
'type'. Now excuse me, but I don't want to be put in to the
'handicapped'
bucket, thanks a million. I'd prefer to be seen as just some guy who
has a
decent life, loves a laugh, and is fun to be around... but oh yeah, as
an
aside, did you know he can't see?
Mind if I cut a few quotes from the various mails we've seen?
Well, to save time, let's just say I agree with everything Nicky has
said.
(Phew! that saves me some work cutting and pasting)
"
First of all I'd like to say that I think Robbie and Mike have excellent
points about showing positive adds and snippets which would depict blind
people and people with other disabilities getting on with their lives
just
like everyone else and which would tell the public how best to approach
the
VIP people and people with other disabilities.
"
Yes! I agree whole-heartedly. This is true inclusion, this is true
awareness training, we are trying to be the same as everyone else right?
So
why not show 'Joe Public' that we are.
"
I would also like to see some common stereotypes dispelled about blind
people in those snippets. E.G. please do not feel sorry for us. we
aren't
deaf or stupid so please don't shout at us and don't be patronising. we
can
speak for ourselves so please don't talk at us, but talk to us instead.
"
Yes, basic awareness. We're not 'handicapped' we are just people who
can't
see, or who have bad eyesight 'living life'.
"
I don't consider my self to have a handicap necessarily. The point I
have
repeatedly made is I do not place
much significance on a word used to describe my sensory impairment. I
don't
think that is countering the efforts of those who are working towards
equality.
"
If someone walked up to you on the street and said "Hi you're
handicapped.
Let me pet your blind dog, handicapper", would you not place much
significance on what they were referring to you as? Also, if you don't
care
what words are used to describe your 'sensory impairment', why do you
call
it a 'sensory impairment'? Why not just call it blindness, or a
handicap?
After all, in your book, it doesn't matter what it is called, as long as
people get the point... and 'Handicapped' is just so much shorter than
'sensory impaired'. Do you think 'the point' people would get by this
would
be the same if they were considering you a 'handicapped' person, or on
the
other side, a guy with a good job, good life, but just couldn't see?
"
The problem with using this word in my opinion spans from your own
perception of its meaning and not what you believe to be that of the
publics.
"
Um, what? Do you think the 'public' consider 'handicapped' people to be
young go-getters? Do you think they have a positive perception of people
they consider to be 'handicapped'? Get real. I perceive the word to
have
very negative connotations, and I bet everyone else does, be they on
this
list or not. Yes, it's our problem, but it shouldn't be. These
advertisements don't help us to overcome this problem, so it should be
dropped. Easy!
"
CV's and Interviews are two very useful ways of
illustrating past actions or experiences. True they are written and
verbal
forms of communications but the words aren't important, the actions,
are.
"
Slightly straying from the point here, but that is complete nonsense
too.
Although, after some consideration, judging from the way you feel about
how
it's no big deal if the public perceive you as a handicapped person,
it's
not so surprising. Do you honestly think the words you say, and the way
you
say them, particularly when applying for a job "aren't important"?
It's perception, or an apparent ignorance of perception on your part.
Why
should it matter to someone who doesn't care how they are perceived by
the
public, give a d*mn if their CV has badly written sentences or
paragraphs?
Why should they care if they talk nonsense at an interview, it's the
'actions' that count? Ridiculous. Go read a manual.
I've been on both sides of the interview table. You can have all the
experience and knowledge in the world, but if you are perceived by the
way
you speak, or write, or even dress as being 'not quite right' you won't
get
the job. That is a plain and simple fact.
If your CV is not written well, you won't even get an interview! It
doesn't
matter if you've written the latest version of Windows. I've seen CVs
binned because the layout is not aligned correctly.
Finally, I take Ed's point. We are not disabled, it's the sighted world
and
environment which is disabling to us. Fine, but don't call yourself or
me
'handicapped'!
It's making a box for us to fit in to, the 'handicapped' box. We are
all
representing each other at the end of the day (I wrote about this
before).
If blind or vision impaired people are being classed, and happy being
classed as 'handicapped', the negativity that goes along with this word
will
be part of our little category.
Back to Ed's point, yes if we hadn't got LCD screens on everything, or
if we
hadn't so much reliance on visual communication, we would not be so
disabled. If Blind people were accepted in society as someone who could
do
exactly the same things everyone else did, we would not be considered
disabled. If our daily lives were identical to everyone else's when it
came
to getting to work, using a computer, ordering a bl**dy pint, etc, then
we
would not be disabled.
Now, the world is getting easier for us Blind people, it is almost as
easy
for us to do all these things. Referring to us as 'handicapped' or
even,
God forbid, 'handicapped people' will not help us in our quest to slot
in to
this utopia.
Oh yeah, now for the disclaimer. These are all just my opinions, as
expressed by me myself as Tony Murray the one and only, and in no way do
I
wish to offend anyone by my expression of personal thoughts and views on
particular matters as contained with in this electronic communication.
Yeah, do have fun, but for God's sake don't consider yourself, or allow
anyone else to consider you handicapped.
Love,
Tony
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