Language is a powerful thing in disability culture. As my profession is beginning to make a shift in how we think about and perceive disability we have discussions on how language plays a role in our work. Many times, we hear professionals/people talk about ‘ability’ instead of using the word disability. One of my colleagues, Rosemary Kreston (Director of Resources for Disabled Students, Colorado State University), shared why she believes it is so important to embrace and use the word ‘disability’. I agree with Rosemary’s points and I wanted to share them with you… -Katheryne
On my campus, there is the tendency to use the term ‘ability’ when including disability in the general categories of diversity. I understand the intent but here’s how I’ve responded as to the impact.
“First, everyone has abilities but not everyone has a disability. By not using the term disability as an identifier, you are actually further marginalizing students with disabilities by glossing over or ignoring a major part of their lived experience.
Second, the word ‘disability’ is not a negative one – unless you make it so. It is simply a word. Yes, it has lots of stigma attached to it, just like all other words that have been used to represent specific devalued groups. But to avoid using the term simply means you are buying in to the stigma.
Ignoring the experience of disability is as marginalizing as making it the only aspect of a person that is recognized. Having a disability is a unique way of being in the world, just as it is to be gay, a woman, African American, from a reservation, etc.. The key is to realize that disability is only one aspect of a person but, like other human characteristics, it can shape how a person sees the world, approaches life, solves problems, etc. Shouldn’t we acknowledge that in the same way we acknowledge the ‘cultural’ aspects of other students? That is hard to do when disability gets subsumed by ability.
Disability is a term that has been reclaimed by those who are cognizant of the political and social meaning of the term. By mainstreaming the word, it helps to normalize it and gives identity to a group of students who might not necessarily see themselves bonded by a common experience of disability. The common experience is created by the reactions of society towards the fact they have any type of disability.”
