Hi James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 27-Jan-06 6:08:33 PM >>> At 9:44 AM -0600 1/27/06, Blackman, Duncan DCRE wrote: >Hello Jean-Marc and other Tipsters, > >The primary issue that people with this classification have is that >the terminology has excluded them from opportunities available to >all other people who are not labelled. Their challenge is to >convince the societies and communities around them to include them, >to allow them to belong and participate to the best of their >abilities and interests. They want to be known as people first and >included in discussions and policy-making concerning their lives >without discrimination, marginalization and social exclusion. The problem is still that it's not the terminology that's excluded them -- it's the actions of people. It is not at all clear that the terminology has any causal relationship to these actions. If not, fighting a terminology fight is counterproductive. -- JC: I think another problem could be advocates' tendency to try to minimize the very real negative consequences of various disabilities. In Jean-Marc's original post, he noted: *--------------------------------------------- So, I'm curious to hear about your opinions on the matter. Is it still ok to talk about Mental Retardation? Or should I move towards what her mentors suggested: Mentally challenged, or even "gifted" (she said they were moving in that direction to replace mental retardation). *--------------------------------------------- To label "mental retardation" (or equivalent phrase) as "gifted" is extremely dangerous, if only because it reduces preventive measures. I understand that a (the?) primary cause of retardation now is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (or whatever its current label is). Imagine labels on alcohol that read: "Please do not drink during pregnancy. It produces gifted children." Or legislators being asked to provide more funding for facilities and services for "gifted" children and adults. The trick appears to be to find labels that communicate accurately and effectively the debilitating nature of the disability, without exacerbating the all-too-prevalent stigma present in society. And to do this in a way that maximizes development of people with the condition without giving false hope (and resulting disappointment) that maximizing development means complete elimination of any actual consequences of the disability (as opposed to elimination of barriers to maximal achievement). Take care Jim --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
