Resource Guide News - 9/22/2008
Latest News
8/18/2008: The Importance of Using Respectful Language
"Words have power. Self-advocates with intellectual disabilities have clearly stated that negative language leads to harmful action, discrimination, abuse, negative stereotypes, disenfranchisement, and violence. “Retard” and “retarded” are derogatory and dehumanizing terms– on par with the N-word when used to describe African Americans, and various hateful terms used to describe members of the Jewish, gay and lesbian and other minority communities. In addition, words and labels can cause others to think that people with intellectual disabilities are not able to achieve the things that others can achieve.
The self advocacy movement led by people with developmental disabilities has fought for years to eliminate the use of the term mental retardation due to its incredibly harmful impact on their lives. There is now wide consensus nationwide among the disability community to replace the term with one that is more respectful – people with intellectual disabilities.
People with disabilities do not want to be labeled and they do not want to be defined by their particular disability or disabilities. Disability is a natural part of the human experience, an aspect of human diversity, and like other areas of human variation. Therefore it is preferable to use “people first” language. For example, instead of saying “the disabled” it is preferable to say “person with a disability.” Instead of “the epileptic,” say “person with epilepsy.” Instead of “developmentally disabled,” use “person with developmental disabilities.” Other examples include: “person with cerebral palsy,” “person with intellectual disabilities,” “person with autism,” “a person who is blind, deaf,” etc.
People with disabilities also do not want to be referred to as a victim or object of pity. People with disabilities are not victims. Disability is just one aspect of the person. Avoid using "suffers from," "afflicted with," "bound," "confined," "sentenced to," "prisoner," "victim," or any other term that conjures up tragedy. For example, instead of writing “wheelchair-bound or confined to a wheelchair” use “person who uses a wheelchair.” Instead of “victim of quadriplegia,” use “person with quadriplegia or people with paraplegia.”
Taken from: http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=605
Other Resources:
Change the Conversation - Stop Using the R-Word
The Arc of the United States Chapter Action Kit on Tropic Thunder
Respect PSA
7/22/2008: Survey Request - Responding to Crime Victims with Disabilities National Conference
"The Joint Center on Violence and Victim Studies (JCVVS) is involved in a collaborative effort with the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) to raise awareness and provide knowledge and enhanced competence in supporting and serving crime victims with disabilities. That collaborative effort will result in the "Responding to Crime Victims with Disabilities National Conference" to be held in 2009.
JCVVS and NCVC have received financial support from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to develop and conduct a national conference focusing on the needs of crime victims with disabilities. OVC is clearly dedicated to advancing quality training and skills development in the victim services field. We are working with them to make this conference a success and we need your help.
To ensure that the conference presentations and workshops address pertinent and highly desired areas of training and education, we are asking you to click on the link below and fill-out an online survey. The survey will take about 10 to 15 minutes of your time. It is important that we hear from you and design the conference topics around your needs.
To protect your privacy the survey has been developed so that no individual data will be shared or disseminated. All information produced from the survey will be presented in aggregate form only. A summary of the data will be available in the future and an email will be sent to you informing you of how and where to access that information.
Your participation in this research is strictly voluntary. Furthermore, your response will not affect you in anyway. Please note that your responses will be used for research purposes only and will be strictly confidential. No one will ever associate your individual responses with your name.
Your completion and submission of the questionnaire indicate your consent to participate in the project (please read the "Survey Information Sheet" linked on the survey website for more information about your rights as a research participant). If you choose, you may stop participating at anytime by simply exiting the website. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant or the survey, you may contact Dan Petersen of the Joint Center on Violence and Victim Studies by e-mail at dan.petersen@washburn.edu or phone (785) 670- 2115.
Please note that there are currently two national surveys being conducted related to the victimization of persons with disabilities. This survey focuses on education and training needs while the other survey, being conducted by the Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC), focuses on service delivery. Both surveys are important and we encourage you, should you be asked, to take the time to respond to both. Thank you."
To take the survey, please visit:
https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/17e60g35315
6/30/2008: 17th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - Call for Abstracts
The Children’s Bureau’s Office on Child Abuse and Neglect (OCAN) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families has announced that the 17th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect will be held March 30 – April 4, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. In support of this conference, they are seeking submissions of presentation abstracts from interested speakers. The Conference theme, Focusing on the Future: Strengthening Families and Communities, reflects their resolve to ensure that every child enjoys a healthy family life in a nurturing community. It emphasizes the need for prevention and comprehensive services to address co-occurring disorders and highlights evidence- based approaches to improving practice and systems.
The 17th National Conference is designed for child protection workers and administrators, social workers, educators, law enforcement and court professionals, health care practitioners, researchers, child advocates, parents, volunteers, and others committed to ensuring the protection of children.
Abstracts are due August 15, 2008. For more information please visit: http://www.pal-tech.com/web/callforpapers/
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