[games_access] Terminology

[Michelle Hinn]

In the line you are using, I'd use "disabled" rather than handicapped, as handicapped has the connotation of "cap in hand" (ie, having to beg -- particularly in the UK) and has generally been a term that many find offensive (in the US, etc). Even "disabled" has it's issues -- the preferred way to refer to someone with a disability is, well, just what I wrote "someone/person with a disability" because it refers first to the person and to something about the person. But anyway, "helping the disabled" would be preferred terminology to "helping the handicapped."

Michelle

On Dec 3, 2010, at 11:06 AM, Lynsey Graham wrote:

> The line in question is:
> 
> "Dogs are kept as pets but many also work for a living.  They help out in all sorts of ways from pulling sleds, herding, helping the handicapped, guarding and hunting"
> 
> It just strikes me as possibly being a bit awkwardly worded with the potential to offend.  Strangely, the German translation seems to just refer to "führen Blinde", which I'm assuming is just referring to blindness?
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: games_access-bounces at igda.org [mailto:games_access-bounces at igda.org] On Behalf Of Sandra Uhling
> Sent: 03 December 2010 16:44
> To: 'IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [games_access] Terminology
> 
> Hi Lynsey,
> 
> I think this video will help you.
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVqz0LKphws&feature=player_embedded
> 
> Maybe you can describe the situation and what kind of disability the
> referred people have?
> 
> A good description in general is: Persons with Disabilities, short PwDs.
> 
> Best regards,
> Sandra
> 
> 
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: games_access-bounces at igda.org [mailto:games_access-bounces at igda.org] Im
> Auftrag von Lynsey Graham
> Gesendet: Freitag, 3. Dezember 2010 17:25
> An: 'IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List'
> Betreff: [games_access] Terminology
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> 
> I was wondering if I could ask for advice.  I've just moved onto a project,
> and noticed that one of the lines of dialogue refers to 'handicapped
> people'.  From what I've gathered, quite a few people find this term
> offensive - is this generally the case?  We're trying to decide whether to
> cut the line, or whether to keep it (as some people on the team have never
> heard that it's offensive).  
> 
> 
> 
> Any feedback would be much appreciated!
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> 
> Lynsey
> 
> 
> 
> Lynsey Graham 
> 
> Designer | Blitz Games
> 
> 
> 
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> 
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