An Inclusive Litany
11/23/92
Jeantz Martin, Specialist Assistant/Americans with Disabilities Act
Coordinator at the
University of Wisconsin
(Milwaukee), criticizes the
following terms when referring to people with disabilities: "Afflicted
With—connotes pain and suffering. Most people with disabilities are
not in pain, nor do they suffer. Confined to a Wheelchair—A
wheelchair doesn't confine; it frees someone. Deaf and Dumb—People
who are deaf have healthy vocal cords. If they do not speak, it is
because they have never heard the pronunciation of words. Invalid—This
word means literally 'not valid.' Everybody is valid."