Re: Disability Characteristics and Political Correctness

[eatmyplum]

dude how many blunts htis guy smoken

[XxSaraBluexX]

I've had both ends of the help thing. On one hand, I've had people try to push ny electric wheelchair Lol. And on the other, I've had people who were going into a church ignore me in my broken down electric wheelchair on a night that was pouring down with rain. People seem to go from one extreme to another. Also I think it depends how you use the phrases which means if they're bad or not. Just because you use the word doesn't mean you're using it in a mean way, just like you using cripple.

xxx

[AvangionQ]

My thoughts on the Americans with Disabilities Act is that it attempts to legislate morality, the result of which most often has the opposite effect ... worse yet, it creates laws for which the overly litigious could exploit, which labels the disabled as `walking lawsuits`, in turn which makes employers feel that hiring the disabled opens them up for potential litigation ... all makes me think that the law needs revision ... I would appreciate anything you have to say on the subject in reply ...

[LieslMcQ]

The morality the ADA endeavors to legislate is the morality of the basic principle of equality, much like the civil rights acts. Unfortunately, people often do not act in a way that creates and recognizes equality, which is why we often have to legislate it specifically, rather than accepting it as given. The ADA is about leveling the playing field, making all things equal.

[AvangionQ]

After checking Google for: Americans with Disabilities Act Working Statistics ... I find that the ADA has had the exact opposite effect -- instead of making it an equal level playing field, I find statistics that *fewer* disabled people are being employed for fear of being sued by the overly litigious ... please correct me with link to contrary information if I'm wrong on that ... I've since watched a video by Penn & Teller on the ADA law -- if you've seen it, please tell me what you think ...

[AvangionQ]

Don't get me wrong, I think the ADA is a good idea in principle, but its implementation needs to be slightly adjusted ... the best thing that needs to be done is to quell employer's fears about `walking lawsuits` in that by hiring a disabled person that they may get sued in the near future ... also, the ADA's quoted legal statistic of 54 million is overblown, yes that's 1 in 6 Americans, while census data shows 32 million at best if counting lesser disabilities, leading to more legal bloat ...

[LieslMcQ]

I don't know how they're qualifying disability for those statistics. I know they include learning disabilities, which makes up a huge portion of any disability stat. There's no question that this should not be played out in the courts if it can be helped, but that is our only option as it stands, mostly because the ADA has been gutted by... the courts! It's a catch 22. We either fight for justice and cause legal bloat or we don't and cause injustice.

[AvangionQ]

"We either fight for justice and cause legal bloat or we don't and cause injustice. // As it is now, a disabled person has the burden of enforcing the law and the only way to do that is through a lawsuit." ... perfect, couldn't agree more -- so, two open ended questions ... what's the best way to fix the ADA so that it benefits people with disabilities and businesses alike ... and what's the best way to make businesses *want* to hire people with disabilities ... ?

[LieslMcQ]

See, that's the EXACT reason people are trying to specify and change the ADA in some ways. As it is now, a disabled person has the burden of enforcing the law and the only way to do that is through a lawsuit. It's ridiculous! I don't blame employers for being afraid of being sued, though you have to wonder why they would be if they are doing everything correct. (that doesn't allow for accidents, I know). I haven't seen the Penn and Teller episode, I will put it on my queue.

[AvangionQ]

Damn Youtube ... hit reply to the wrong post and now all the posts are out of sort ... please reply with any replies to this post instead of the other ones ...

[LieslMcQ]

Good question. In my limited knowledge of how it would or could work, the only remedy I see is to make these things have automatic consequences. I think is more applicable to things like access to store, parking, etc. IOW, if a business doesn't comply we can call the police and have them ticketed for an amount of money that is more than symbolic. It is sometimes true for parking, but not always. If we want access to a store that is refusing to comply, we have to sue. Isn't that dumb?...

[LieslMcQ]

As for employment, that is a far more difficult question to resolve. I think it is entirely dependent on the disability itself. We can't ask employers to hire someone who is deaf to answer the phone, for example. I think the problem is going to always be one of prejudice. People see the disabled as less than, even though it is often utterly untrue. At this point, I don't see a solution to the way it is now, re: employment. It's like affirmative action: not the best solution...

[LieslMcQ]

crap, these are out of order. I'm new to this. Anyway, what else is there in terms of AA? Sometimes we have to push over the line to get to the line. What do you think?

[Spydyee]

You hit the nail on the head about the preferred terminology and who decides what it is. I had a teacher in one of my education classes try to correct my language about myself and my own children. I am the Proud Autistic Mom Of Autistic Kids. Autism is a part of who I am and it is inseparable from "me" unlike lets say my clothes. As Jim Sinclair, fellow autistic, says, "I may be a person with a purple shirt. However, I could be a person with a yellow shirt. I am always an Autistic person."

[misterfisherman]

please refrain from using the term hit the nail on the head as it might upset people and someone easily lead might copy your idea!!! hmmmm yes

[misterfisherman]

hehehe

[cliffhere]

goodbye Dave all the best buachaill

[cliffhere]

...one guy with MS since he was young, when they're lazy they pile onto the wheelchair and fly down the hill,we love it

[cliffhere]

lol super gran to the rescue

[Aspiegirl]

Great video. My father had MS and he shared many of the things you cover in this video with me when I was growing up. I have autism and I told others I dont care about PC as much as I care about others acknowleging my autism as real and not blowing it off. Any term is better than denial. As if my disability is not real.

[theWrongPlanet]

Great Vid, CoquiDave,

AspieGirl, I can totally relate

[sanzi05]

great video,thanks.You have a great smile!!! I love to see people smiling.

[carolperez]

25 mins was long for me to sit on my fat ass, so I just turned up the volume and watered my plants and stuff. good video

[wendydby]

25 minutes? Didn't feel that long to me.As always I enjoy your videos....1 min or beyond...lol

Have a great day Dave

[stjohnstjohn]

I particularly liked your 'intellectual capacity impaired' bit - I reckon that you could do a whole vid on that theme alone ! see my comment on your last vid.

[BamaPitBull316]

Excellent!

[kewltyme]

Hmmm...Have you ever considered writting a book on this subject? It might help dispell some of the myths and uncertainties that people encounter regarding "disabilities" in general. I am thankful that you are helping me obtain firsthand knowledge about an issue I have a lot of ignorance in.

[albinosp4cemonky]

very informative video. most excellent.

[Marihani]

Did it hurt when - bug - butt? ROFL!

Thanks for this vid, Dave - or should I say Gimpy? ;-)

[TheBashar99]

Great response Dave! I'm really taking your suggestions to heart on how to interact. While I thought your philosophy was overly simple in your first video, after listening to your examples I'm really coming around to believing that it really is that straight-forward. In fact, I'm really wondering now why it's always seemed so complicated before. I guess common-sense is not a common thing for some of us. Thanks again!

[TheBashar99]

And thanks for reminding me about group dynamics. I've not studied them very much at all, but I've had some peripheral awareness of them. It never occurred to me to view the deaf group in that light. Now that you point it out, it makes perfect sense. Thanks so much for bringing that up!

[sterlingturk]

When I was in college there were several blind students. One of them would always seem to walk the same route I would take to class at the same time every day and this route would always cross the campus bike paths. On several occasions I had to stop them from crossing because the bicycles were still coming. I guess they didn't hear the newer model bicycles because they are so smooth and quiet. They were always grateful to hear a simple "Hang on" or "Not yet, bro."

[Clereece]

Great message Dave! Personally, whenever I see a person with special difficulties, like a child with Downs Syndrome or someone in a wheelchair or someone struggling with a walker/cane, and I see them look my way- I give them a smile and a "hello"... my attempt to make them visible amongst a mass of people who more often than not don't acknowledge them.

[maroushka]

"special difficulties" It reminds me of something someone once said to me...

"Special needs, dont we all have special needs?"

[CMale0624]

Dave, I really like your videos but 25 minutes is a little long, don't you think?

[CoquiDave]

Actually, I'd say it's a LOT long.  As I said in the description, though, big question, long answer. It won't be a habit, I promise. :-)

[dusty300]

Dave, Don't let one person cramp your artistic integrity. I'm sure he can find the stop button if he tries. If everybody made lengthy interesting videos I could cancel my cable television.

[DukeStreetBill]

One problem with nomenclature is the member-nonmember thing. It's one thing for a Latino to use "spic," or a black man use "nigger," and quite another for an outsider to do so. 1970s Berkeley probably was the most handicap-accessible and friendly place in the US, and we had the population to prove it; I never flinched if someone handicapped used reality-acknowledging or self-deprecating slang, but I didn't use it: I figured and figure that my hand shouldn't control that linguistic valve.

[CoquiDave]

Bill,

Use the terms your comfortable with, but if you get to "alternately gifted", you're going to get laughed at. The point is that we aren't as sensitive as most folks seem to believe. :-)

[DukeStreetBill]

"Alternately gifted"? Does that mean that someone with "normal" functions would be "Alternately Gifted Impaired"?

(Does the comments list look weird to anyone but me, or is my alternately gifted impaired eyesight losing some of its gift impairment???)

[carolperez]

wisely put, but I still think the point is defining people as only one thing and using words like that as nouns and not adjectives

[hippyhillbilly]

Well said sir, I thought this vid was a little short myself could have listened to another half hour. Peace & Health to ya

[periurban]

You are a wise man.

[murda1991]

25 minutes long? holy crap what have i gotten myself into....

[CoquiDave]

Welcome to HELL!!! Can't.... hit.... stop.... button! Mind.... under.... Dave's.... Control!

[DukeStreetBill]

Callahan! I live in PDX; he's a fixture here.

[MarkGrimes]

Hey Duke, yeah he is. It's been interesting to know him for so long as his "fame" has grown locally and world wide. Hey, check out a video I put up yesterday "Suicide in the Fall". It's a sample from an upcoming CD that John is releasing very soon.

[MarkGrimes]

John has been a good friend for almost 20 years. It's been interesting watching his "fame" happen. He's written many books and a created a show for Nickelodeon called Pelswick, the main character is in a chair. Check out callahanonline(dot)com for more on John. (dave, that's about what I said before :-)

[Momoftwinsplus1]

Awesome again. Very well spoken. This video and your others are just a wonderful service to those who are disabled.

[BNDS9]

I am one of those having a hard time dealing with my crippleness But I am working on it, Your wise words help a lot.  Thanks man.

[BMPmama698]

Great Video. So well spoken.

[maroushka]

I would also like to say... Never say sorry for such a long video! I could watch and listen to what you have to say for a long long time and not get bored... people know how to flick back on their browser ;)

[maroushka]

Hi Dave :) yes you did say my name right, or rather my nick on here. I spent all of this video nodding in agreement and often thinking something then you would say it :)

Treating everyone as equal is a wonderful concept and one i do try to follow as much as i can. And also to treat others as you wish to be treated. Not always easy to do though! Your points on the difference between someone disabled from birth and someone not are extremely valid and something i have also seen.