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I want to talk for a minute about language we use to talk about blindness. Because it's been in my timeline a lot the last 24 hours.
I'm not visually impaired. I'm blind. Some folks may identify as low vision, that's cool too.
I'm not visually impaired. I'm blind. Some folks may identify as low vision, that's cool too.
When you call something an impairment, that carries a negative value load.
When you carry a negative value with a disability... that hurts people.
So, if you're not a blind person, if you're say... an organization that isn't about blindness but instead...
When you carry a negative value with a disability... that hurts people.
So, if you're not a blind person, if you're say... an organization that isn't about blindness but instead...
I don't know about fandom.
Maybe you should be saying "Blind and low vision fans" instead of visually impaired.
Because that doesn't carry a negative tone about our bodies.
Maybe you should be saying "Blind and low vision fans" instead of visually impaired.
Because that doesn't carry a negative tone about our bodies.
And yes. I've been perhaps suspiciously quiet about this, because I've been working behind the scenes.
But language matters and I'd like everybody in our community to remember that the words we use matter.
Blind and low vision. NOT visually impaired. Thanks.
But language matters and I'd like everybody in our community to remember that the words we use matter.
Blind and low vision. NOT visually impaired. Thanks.
Because a lot of people are replying to me: If you're an actual blind person YOU get to determine the language you use for yourself!
But I'm specifically addressing organizations that are big and not full of blind people.
They don't get to pick harmful language.
But I'm specifically addressing organizations that are big and not full of blind people.
They don't get to pick harmful language.
