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Phoenix explores in her custom chair.

Phoenix Barfuss, a growing two-year old with muscular dystrophy, will now be able to be more independent and explore her surroundings, thanks to a power wheelchair that is just her size. A local Assistive Technology (AT) Lab is customizing a wheelchair for Phoenix and her specific needs.

Shriners Hospitals for Children–Salt Lake City and the AT Lab at Utah State University in Logan have joined forces to help Utahns. Shriners Hospital recently donated eight surplus pediatric power wheelchairs and 20 manual pediatric wheelchairs to the AT Lab. The AT Lab is in turn customizing these devices for individuals who otherwise would not be able to afford or access them.

Read the whole story.

Through the years, many terms have been used to refer to people who have impairments, delays, or chronic health conditions.  Terms such as mentally retarded, exceptional, handicapped, special needs, disabled, differently-abled, and physically/mentally challenged.  Many of them can evoke feelings and images that  perpetuate negative stereotypes.  Many of them, while attempting to have a positive connotation, are often perceived as condescending by those they are referring to.  The perceptions created by the words that are used can create a strong attitudinal barrier, which is often the greatest obstacle to the inclusion and success of individuals with disabilities.

Refusing to use words that are especially offensive is a step in the right direction  (see March 27, 2009 blog “To Change the World… Start with Yourself.”).  And, using People First Language (see April 28, 2009 blog “Use the Right Words”). is another positive step.  But, wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have to use any specific term to refer to our children, our friends, our neighbors, our students, our colleagues who have “special needs?”  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just think of them as “my son, Scott, who loves sheep,” “my friend, Jane, who makes me laugh,” “my student, Rhonda, who is a wonderful artist?” 

In an ideal world, that is how I wish it could be.  But, because school districts, service providers, and legislators need a term to refer to those that they work with and advocate for, we need a term that will identify them.   Let’s choose one that will be accurate, yet, still respectful and accepted by that targetted population as positive.  Maybe there is no singular replacement term for the ones listed above.  Maybe the idea is to use a variety of different descriptors, depending on the situation.  We could say “students who receive special education services.”  When referring to individuals, we could use the term “a child/person with (the name of a medical diagnosis).” Maybe we will have to make up a new term that will apply to all of these wonderful people who bring such depth and breadth to our lives. 

I think it is time to tear down the barriers that words can put up and create bridges that allow all people of all abilities to mingle together.  Please take a minute to make a comment, or go to our survey on the CPD home page and make your opinion known. Maybe you will be the one that comes up with that perfect term!

Joan Forsgren-White (right) stands with CPD Associate Director Cyndi Rowland at the Center's 35th Anniversary Celebration in 2007.

The Center for Persons with Disabilities marks the passing of one of its original faculty members. Joan Forsgren-White passed away on April 15.

At the CPD’s 35th Anniversary program she reflected on her time here. She was one of the first 12 people to staff what was then known as the Exceptional Child Center. She ran its materials center, which provided books and psychological tests to anyone who needed information on how to work with people with disabilities.

“We had many persons there studying, some on their bachelors, some on their masters and a few on their doctorates,” she said. “It was a very exciting time for the CPD and I loved being a part of all that.”

In addition to her work with the CPD, Forsgren was a faculty member in the Department of Special Education at Utah State University, where she worked for 30 years.