Gwen,

Well said!  I wholeheartedly agree that it's an individual choice/preference/gut feeling whether a term is offensive or not, especially if it is one that's not meant to be opffensive.

I proclaim proudly that I am a peson with a disability.  I believe that it changes perceptions, based on feedback that I get.  

The fact remains that we need to continue talking about how libraries can be more proactive in both refering to and serving people with disabilities.  I too hope we can keep from getting overheated in discussions, especially one about LC subject headings (goodness knows LC doesn't tend to be on the cutting edge of societal change!).  Otherwise, we may forget that the real issue is to get the best services and information we possibly can to all people.

Audrey

>>> [log in to unmask] 07/23/01 10:00AM >>>
Speaking as someone *with* a disability...

*Anyone* is the wrong person to decide if a term is
offensive to someone else.  People come from all sorts
of backgrounds, and have all sorts of attitudes about
language.  I know for a fact that I consider terms
that are offensive to some others on this list to be
perfectly acceptable when applied to me, and I also
know for a fact that there are terms that others on
this list consider highly preferable, which I consider
personally offensive.

Just my 2 cents worth, hoping to cool down a thread
that looks close to heating up...

--Gwen Eastmond

--- Tanya Feddern <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Since you don't have a disability, you are the
> *wrong* person to decide if a
> term is offensive.


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