News

Opinion | ‘Is That Ableist?’ Good Question.


“I was even faster if I typed in Braille,” says Caitlin.

“Show off,” I said.

Caitlin is a champion Braille competitor. In fact, so is Haben. They know each other from the Braille Challenge, an annual event organized by the Braille Institute in Southern California.

Sadly, growing up I didn’t learn braille. I had poor eyesight and was able to read magnified print while in high school and into college and graduate school. I’m working hard on my Braille these days, but I have a long way to go.

“I’ve done this so many times,” Caitlin said, trying to make me feel better.

“And you don’t have to worry about spelling or punctuation,” Haben reminds me.

“That’s right,” said Caitlin, “I’m making a mistake!”

“I still feel stupid,” I said.

“It’s a possibility!” Caitlin spoke and typed.

“That is it?” I ask.

“It defames people with intellectual disabilities,” Haben asserts.

“Hmm,” I said, feeling uncertain. Stupid comes from the Latin verb “stupere”: “to be astounded, astounded, perplexed.” So the word has no root association with disability. That said, the sting of calling someone “stupid” has to do with disparaging people who are perceived as less intelligent.

Although I grew up in San Francisco, a city that was pivotal in the birth of the disability rights movement – ​​recently detailed in activist Judy Heumann’s memoir, “Being Heumann.” and in the Netflix documentary “Crip Camp” – I knew nothing at the time about disability as a cultural phenomenon or a source of pride. I was 18 years old when the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was passed – an important achievement that strengthened many of our rights and raised awareness of us across the country. Haben and Caitlin, though both have obviously experienced the possibility, have never known a world before ADA. They have come of age with Disability Pride along with other pride movements.



Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button