Rethinking PWDs (Persons with Disabilities)

One of the joys of writing is receiving constructive feedback about our articles and being able to share these feedback again with the rest of our readers so as to continue the learning moments as well as the partnerships for greater service to our people and to God.

We share with you these beautiful comments and information from Adela Avila-Kono and Gigi Ruiz who are both very active in their advocacy for barrier-free environments as well as for the promotion of the rights for the PWDs.

First , from Adela, in response to the article that I emailed to her:

“Thank you so much for writing this for the Freeman last Saturday, June 20. The incidents you relate on the mother and her deaf child, the blind woman and the wheelchair-user you saw commuting in Tokyo were quite impressive. I hope people's minds in Cebu and the Philippines will continue to expand as to think of PWDs (persons with disabilities--the universal term referring to our sector) as part of human diversity and begin to recognize our right to inclusion in all social processes and participation.”

Adela also informed us that she and her colleagues in the Accessibility Monitoring Committee are busy visiting and examining “SM, Ayala and a few other places that will be used by our sector's activities” for the National Disability Week that will be observed next month. Adela adds that they asked for the upgrading of toilet facilities for PWDs “according to universal standards so we have something safe and convenient to use. Their other ramps and amenities are already very satisfactory.” Adela concluded her message as follows: “Thank you for your prayers and your continuing support of our advocacy for barrier-free environments.”

She was kind enough to pass on my article to her colleagues. I am grateful that Gigi Ruiz, her colleague and Executive Director III of the National Council on Disability Affairs, found the time to share her thoughts, especially her suggestions, about my article.

This is Gigi’s message: “Thank you so much for bringing to fore everyone's obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of persons with disabilities. It is our theme for this year's National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week: From Exclusion to Equality; Realizing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities."

Then, Gigi kindly, gently educates me about the PWDs which I want to share with you all in turn.

Gigi wrote: "Differently-abled" or "challenged" is now considered overly politically correct and even a euphemism. You can directly say "person with a disability/persons with disabilities" or you can specify the impairment - person with hearing/ vision/ mobility impairment. "Mute" is also considered derogatory; please use person with a speech impairment. "Person with intellectual disability/learning disorder" can also be used instead of mentally retarded, slow learner, etc.”

I wrote back Adela and Gigi and shared the following: “While PWDs is the universally accepted term, I feel differently-abled captures the gifts and talents the Lord has reserved for you all in this world so if you do not mind, may I use this term please?

Personally I find differently-abled so much acceptable than PWD because those with the so-called dis-abilities really have different gifts from everyone else who are labelled with-ability. They are able to do things differently as they are differently gifted. The term PWD, to me, is harsher, unfairly comparing people with disabilities (dis-abilities), with the dominant group with so-called abilities.

For example, to me, the blind have the better ability to see more than those with sight, those with speech impairment - the mute (pardon the term)- the silent ones- are more expressive than those who speak empty words (so many of them in congress and the halls of power!).. and so on...” But of course, we respect and give way to the preference of this sector to be called PWDs.

Personally, I think , as each one is blessed with certain gifts, certain abilities, what really should matter is how we can make our world and life better for all despite differences and diversities of gifts and abilities.

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