Who do we list as 'disabled' and what are the implications of that? When we separate out Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people, do we lose the expansive community that 'disabled' can hold?
This was a great read. I have always been fascinated by the Deaf community listing themselves separately and I’ve read several different takes on it, but this framing of ‘disabling as a verb’ is very thought-provoking in that context.
My husband is neurodivergent and has said before that he doesn’t feel like ‘a disabled person’ but that there are some situations where autism disables him, so a closer look at it as a participle verb and not a true adjective is great to see.
Considering the lateral ableism that can be observed even within the community most wouldn’t argue “counts”, this is such a big topic. Solidarity is so needed.
I promise that I wouldn’t ask this if I hadn’t already googled and failed, but could I ask for clarification on what ‘Mad people’ means as listed next to those with mental health conditions? (I suppose it’s not surprising that Google is useless, all I’m seeing is discussions on whether it’s okay to use ‘mad’, ‘crazy’ and the like, and it’s not a term I’m otherwise familiar with)
The use of Mad people comes from the Mad Pride movement which to quite an extent challenges medical and psychiatric labels for Mad ways of being, so I wanted to list it separately out of respect that some people identify as Mad but not as having mental health conditions, and the other way around. I found it really helpful when I came to think of disabling as a verb and disabled people as people who are being disabled by barriers - so it’s something I tend to try and share as a way of thinking!
I'm wondering if this is partially reflective of what corner of the internet you're on. I'm not deaf/HoH, and I haven't heard "deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people," but I am chronically ill and on that side of Substack, and have seen a lot of "chronically ill and disabled." (There are also several things weird and wrong with my brain, but I don't engage with a lot of neurodivergent content because I find that it doesn't resonate as much).
I've actually talked with some other writers about this distinction and when I use which term. Often I'm talking about the experience of frequent doctor/alternative medicine practitioners, and that's not relevant to everyone with a disability. On the flip side, not everyone with a chronic illness identifies as disabled, similar to what you discussed in the post. I think part of the reason people are so hesitant about the word is because it often provides access to scarce resources they feel they may or may not deserve as much as others.
There are mild chronic illnesses that aren't disabling, and there are also chronic illnesses that fit more closely with the medical/individual model of disability as opposed to the social model, and therefore discussions about social/policy reforms aren't as relevant to them, so I try to use the term that's most appropriate to the conversations I'm trying to have.
I wonder if it’s partly about UK vs USA - but again I feel uncomfortable with saying “chronically ill and disabled” because for me chronically ill people do fit the definition of disabled and should be welcomed under that. I want to encourage people to feel like they deserve to take up space within the disabled community, which is why I’m so keen on using the word alongside clear encouragement and invitation to people who might be questioning their welcome. I’ve written a bit about the medical and social models and I strongly think the SM applies to chronically ill people and sits on top of medical/condition/impairment-related suffering rather than trying to negate it. I agree with your point on using the words people want you to use, but I also think that when that’s contested, you then have to decide for yourself what words you’re going to pick, which can be really tough
Thanks for highlighting this. I haven't heard this exact combo of terms in displacement of disabled on the US side with consistency and I agree with your assessment. I don't like the seperateness it suggests. Language around disability is fascinating.
Well said.
Thanks!
This was a great read. I have always been fascinated by the Deaf community listing themselves separately and I’ve read several different takes on it, but this framing of ‘disabling as a verb’ is very thought-provoking in that context.
My husband is neurodivergent and has said before that he doesn’t feel like ‘a disabled person’ but that there are some situations where autism disables him, so a closer look at it as a participle verb and not a true adjective is great to see.
Considering the lateral ableism that can be observed even within the community most wouldn’t argue “counts”, this is such a big topic. Solidarity is so needed.
I promise that I wouldn’t ask this if I hadn’t already googled and failed, but could I ask for clarification on what ‘Mad people’ means as listed next to those with mental health conditions? (I suppose it’s not surprising that Google is useless, all I’m seeing is discussions on whether it’s okay to use ‘mad’, ‘crazy’ and the like, and it’s not a term I’m otherwise familiar with)
The use of Mad people comes from the Mad Pride movement which to quite an extent challenges medical and psychiatric labels for Mad ways of being, so I wanted to list it separately out of respect that some people identify as Mad but not as having mental health conditions, and the other way around. I found it really helpful when I came to think of disabling as a verb and disabled people as people who are being disabled by barriers - so it’s something I tend to try and share as a way of thinking!
Thank you for explaining! That’s really interesting to know.
You have changed my disability grammar for good 🙏
I'm wondering if this is partially reflective of what corner of the internet you're on. I'm not deaf/HoH, and I haven't heard "deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people," but I am chronically ill and on that side of Substack, and have seen a lot of "chronically ill and disabled." (There are also several things weird and wrong with my brain, but I don't engage with a lot of neurodivergent content because I find that it doesn't resonate as much).
I've actually talked with some other writers about this distinction and when I use which term. Often I'm talking about the experience of frequent doctor/alternative medicine practitioners, and that's not relevant to everyone with a disability. On the flip side, not everyone with a chronic illness identifies as disabled, similar to what you discussed in the post. I think part of the reason people are so hesitant about the word is because it often provides access to scarce resources they feel they may or may not deserve as much as others.
There are mild chronic illnesses that aren't disabling, and there are also chronic illnesses that fit more closely with the medical/individual model of disability as opposed to the social model, and therefore discussions about social/policy reforms aren't as relevant to them, so I try to use the term that's most appropriate to the conversations I'm trying to have.
I wonder if it’s partly about UK vs USA - but again I feel uncomfortable with saying “chronically ill and disabled” because for me chronically ill people do fit the definition of disabled and should be welcomed under that. I want to encourage people to feel like they deserve to take up space within the disabled community, which is why I’m so keen on using the word alongside clear encouragement and invitation to people who might be questioning their welcome. I’ve written a bit about the medical and social models and I strongly think the SM applies to chronically ill people and sits on top of medical/condition/impairment-related suffering rather than trying to negate it. I agree with your point on using the words people want you to use, but I also think that when that’s contested, you then have to decide for yourself what words you’re going to pick, which can be really tough
It’s an interesting stance, I’ll definitely be thinking about it
Everyone comes to different places, that’s for sure!
Hard agree. I always find separating them out a bit icky
Ditto!!!
Thanks for highlighting this. I haven't heard this exact combo of terms in displacement of disabled on the US side with consistency and I agree with your assessment. I don't like the seperateness it suggests. Language around disability is fascinating.