Disabled, crippled, handicapped. A ‘physically challenged’ traveller (yes, I hate the politically correct label as well) is sometimes faced with words that are often considered inappropriate in our own individual countries, but thought of as totally acceptable in the place we are visiting, sometimes even the most appropriate; but why do certain terms evoke our outrage? Do they really? And is it time to reclaim the words themselves?
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999, since which time I have slowly descended through various levels of capacity and mobility, from walking with an obvious limp, to the occasional use of canes and sticks, elbow crutches, and the eventual dependence on a wheelchair. At each stage along the way I’ve referred to myself in different ways: a ‘gimp’, a ‘wheelie’, or even, when talking to my wife, I have simply described myself as ‘broken’ (budding psychologists can interpret that one and send their concerns to me on a postcard). Talking recently to a well recognised disabled actor, they commented on how many ‘power crips’ they knew personally, or had contact to (a ‘power crip’ being someone with a disability who had a public profile or a degree of influence either commercially, socially, or politically). The fact that they used the word ‘crip’, neither offended me, nor particularly surprised me. But how would I feel if the term was used by someone when I was on holiday, or if I was on a trip for Disabled Travel Guide (www.disabledtravelguide.co.uk).
Anyone travelling within the United States, will quickly realise that the term handicapped is the word of choice when describing disabled services, parking facilities and the like. Many of us consider this word to be one of the most insulting, having a basis in a period when someone with a disability was forced to beg for the charity of others (begging = ‘cap in hand’ = hand i capped). Most people using the word however, have no idea where the origin of the word itself lies, and believe themselves to be using a term unlikely to cause insult or offence. I recently read a comment that described the term ‘handicapped’ somewhat differently: “If a ship is disabled it is helpless, open to the elements and at significant risk. A golfer has a handicap. They have a handicap so that with a little help, they can take on anyone in the world”. I’m not a ship........and I don’t play golf!! But it does make you think.
In Russia, there are two separate words for light blue and dark blue. In the Russian language and culture, they think of these two things as different, while in Europe we are fully inclusive towards all sorts of blue, regardless of shade or tone (just because I’m light blue, it doesn’t make me any less of a colour!)
Those of us who are disabled (I apologise to anyone who would prefer an alternative word) have the opportunity to reclaim words that make many of us cringe. I am ‘special’, just not special in a sickly saccharine, “please treat me with pity” sort of way. As someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or disability, I might be an ‘invalid’. I’m just not in valid. And if I want to be a ‘spastic’, a ‘spaz’, a ‘crip’ or a ‘wheelie’ then I will be.
With increasing equality legislation in many countries, and a greater awareness generally, hotels and travel operators are required to consider the needs of disabled travellers. Some do so with a genuine desire to offer the best services to all, and some with the desire to provide the minimum amount of consideration required to keep them on the right side of the law.
At Disabled Travel Guide (www.disabledtravelguide.co.uk) reviews can be left for hotels, locations and attractions, cruise companies, holiday destinations and music venues, anywhere in the world, all from a disabled perspective. It doesn’t make any difference whether they refer to handicapped guests, disabled travellers, or invalids. They might use nothing but well considered, politically correct references, but they might also pay nothing more than lip service to access and disabled friendly issues. At Disabled Travel Guide, you get your opportunity to share your experiences with others, to point out both the good and the bad, and to advise people of the terms that might be used in different places around the world.
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