[Ct-nfb] Person-First Language

Wed Oct 1 10:11:32 UTC 2014

Good morning my friends;

I'm not really following this whole string of e-mail messages, because of my internet program. However I read a bit of this last message and now feel it might be worth me sticking in my two cents. I will admit as a child and young adult I never wanted to admit to the fact that although I had little usable vision, I hated admitting the fact that I am Blind. However with some tears, and arguing back and fourth between myself and one of my older siblings I finally accepted the fact that I am blind. The reason I'm bringing this up, and please forgive me if I'm not on point with this e-mail. I personally don't care whether I'm referred t as a blind man, a man with limited vision or legally blind. It doesn't concern me, what does concern me is. When someone tries to tell me that I can't do something because I'm blind. the point I'm trying to get is this. over time we as blind individuals maybe referred to with many titles some may not be so flattering, some
 maybe more flattering than I deserve. But as an individual I am me Rich the little guy with the big mouth. I've actually had people I've worked in the past tell me that they'd forget that I was blind because I was able to fix their computers with out even leaving my station, just by telling them what to do from across the room. 

It's like this it doesn't matter what we're called we are all blind, we are all advocates for ourselves and we all belong to the greatest organization in the United States of America if not the world. So be proud of the work we do, and pay no attention to the titles that are hung on us. Pay more attention to the fact that we are here, and if I may borrow this phrase "Changing what it means to be Blind"

Be cool all, and stay safe.
Rich

On Wednesday, October 1, 2014 3:16 AM, Tammy Robbins via Ct-nfb <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Hi all, Justin I personally don't
 find the description of my blindness as demeaning!  I tend to be more frustrated by the fact that most people notice my blindness before they discover other things about me as a person!  I think that the problem most people have is that they don't understand blindness and they tend to be afraid of what they can't understand!
Now, having said all that, I most definitely feel that the more people see us do, the more aware they will become!  Maybe I'm optimistic but I am hoping it works this way!  :)
Thank you all for reading!

Tammy

Sent from my iPhone

Tammy Robbins
Reiki Practitioner and Intuitive Animal Consultant
Phone: 860-822-3125
Email: gypsie-rose at ct.metrocast.net

On Sep 30, 2014, at 11:00 PM, Justin Salisbury via Ct-nfb <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Dear Janet and everyone else,

I definitely don't want anyone to feel demeaned. What I suppose I am trying to figure out is what about blindness makes it a different and negative characteristic that would, unlike other characteristics, demean someone if used before the noun.

Also, how does blindness define someone any more than physical stature, race, gender, etc.?

Yours,

Justin

Sent from the iPhone of:

Justin M. Salisbury
Graduate Student
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu
Twitter: @SalisburyJustin

On Sep 30, 2014, at 9:38 PM, Janet Wallans <janetcw at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Hello Justin, 

I personally prefer the person first language. I like to think of myself as a person first and rather not be labeled or thought of as a blind person. I find that very demeaning. I would rather not be described by my disability. 

Janet 

From:Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Justin Salisbury via Ct-nfb
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 9:20 PM
To: 'ct-nfb at nfbnet.org'
Subject: [Ct-nfb] Person-First Language

Fellow Federationists:

In many circles in the disability community, there has come to be a practice of referring to ourselves as “people with disabilities” or “people who are blind” instead of “blind people.” 

What message does this send, and why do we not have a practice of saying “woman who is blonde,” or, for that matter, “person who is female and blonde?” Why do we not say “person who is male and short” instead of “short man?” What is it that is different about a disability that necessitates placing the adjective after the noun?

Yours in Federationism,

Justin Salisbury
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