I first heard the term “Differently Abled” in 2001, while volunteering as a counselor at Anytown in Tampa, Florida.
Anytown is a youth program “designed to educate, liberate, and empower youth participants (ages 14–18) to become effective, responsible leaders and community builders in a global society” (source). Originally started by The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) – a non-profit organization whose mission is to “fight bias, bigotry, and racism and promote understanding and respect through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education” (source), Anytown has been around for over 50 years.
Though I only volunteered there for a short time, Anytown is one of those experiences that sticks with you for a lifetime.
I can’t recall the name of the person who shared the phrase “differently abled” with me, but I do remember that, at the time, his story, his words, his message – had a huge impact on me. Thinking back to what this person looked like, I can’t really remember. He may have been in a wheelchair or using braces. It’s also quite possible that he had no visible disability. Or maybe he had multiple sclerosis. I can’t quite picture him. But that is actually, in some ways, kind of the point.
He was a person. He was a human being. He just so happened to have a disability.
However, he did not think of his condition as a disability. He did not refer to himself as disabled. I’ll never forget this. He looked at us that day – the entire Anytown camp, adults and teenagers alike – and said, “I’m not disabled. I’m differently abled.”
That day, he also told it was important to focus on the person before the label. In other words, instead of a “special needs child” it should be a “child with special needs.”
I know what you are thinking (I thought the same thing at the time). It’s semantics. Whether you say “special needs child” or “child with special needs,” it means the same thing. True. However, his point was that we are all still people first.
This “person first” concept can be applied to other labels.
A person who is gay (instead of a gay person).
A person who is gifted (instead of a gifted person).
A person who is differently abled.
You get the point, I hope.
Why Semantics Matter (and my challenge to you)
I have not seen or heard “differently abled” used that much since I was first made aware of it in 2001 … though apparently Toys “R” Us has been publishing it’s Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids* since 1994.
*Did you notice that Toys “R” Us refers to the label before the person?
Then, two days ago, while running on the beach in Cabo (yes, I’m in Mexico right now), I heard Chris Brogan say “differently abled.” I was listening to Chris’s killer podcast – the Human Business Way (more on that podcast and Chris in an upcoming post). He had just finished an interview and was talking about disabilities. When he said, “differently abled,” I literally stopped in my tracks. I tapped out a quick email to Chris telling him how powerful that phrase was and why I thought it was so important and continued with my run.
So why does this all matter? Who cares? Why am I taking the time to blog about this … while on vacation?
Simple.
I believe that how we refer to other human beings DOES matter. While subtle, remembering that we are all humans first does matter. Remembering that we all have abilities – yet some are different – does matter.
My challenge to you is this: The next time you hear the term disabled, the next time you see a label precede a person … just stop. Pause. Think about it. If you are so inspired, and it’s appropriate, say something. Spread the word. We are all unique. We all all different. We are all human.
Do you agree?
DJ Waldow
Waldow Social
@djwaldow
