A group of self-advocates and supporters in Powell River is launching a local campaign to have the term “disability” replaced with “diversability” in common and official usage.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is an old schoolyard phrase, but Lorelei Reed, a self-advocate with Powell River Association for Community Living (PRACL), explains it’s just not true. “Disability” is viewed by those involved with the DiversAbility Campaign as a negative word. When broken down it means a lack of ability or inability, or as Lorelei said, “not able.” The word also has historic and cultural weight in relation to negative experiences with institutions and policies for the disabled.
“Words can hurt you,” said Reed.“It’s a put-down. It’s an extreme put-down to people with disabilities. There are so many people with disabilities and we don’t like being called disabled, because we are able, we just have different abilities.”
“Diversability,” on the other hand, is seen by those in the campaign as a word that means “different, but able.”
The campaign originated in Kelowna, where self-advocate Shelley DeCoste has managed to have the term officially supported by the City of Kelowna. DeCoste, who has cerebral palsy, is now campaigning and giving talks throughout the province to have the word adopted in other communities.
Both Reed and PRACL self-advocacy advisor Chantal Edmunds believe Powell River is a great location to get a campaign like this off the ground because the community is already so accepting of people, regardless of their differences.
A letter has been sent to City of Powell River council asking it to approve and support the campaign. Details on how the city can get involved are still being worked out. The ultimate goal is to have Monday, February 6, proclaimed as DiversAbility Day in Powell River, and eventually in BC. Reed and Edmunds will be speaking as a delegation to city council about the campaign on February 2.
The group is hosting an information booth from 10 am to 4 pm on Monday, February 6 at Powell River Town Centre Mall. Anyone interested in finding out more information or in lending support is welcome to stop by.
