Watch the Best Short Movie of the Year: Not Special Needs
Not Special Needs just came out in time for World Down Syndrome Day and it is my favorite short of 2017. Watch it:
#NotSpecialNeeds
Their website has more articles and I’m really honored to be there as well, with my post on Special Needs/Disability. I was not expecting that, and to be associated with such a stellar project brings me deep joy.
Main points from the #NotSpecialNeeds campaign are:
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- People with Down syndrome have human needs; not special
- Accommodation for disability isn’t a “special need”
- The words “special needs” segregates, excludes and stigmatizes; it’s not by and for people with disabilities (who largely consider “special needs” to be patronizing and condescending)
We shouldn’t just replace “special needs” with another euphemism like “additional needs,” “challenged,” or “differently-abled.”
They go on to say,
But what words should we use instead?
Well, it depends on the context.
How about just the person’s name? It is not always necessary or appropriate to refer to someone by a label.
But in the situations where it is helpful, we should “say the word,” and call disabilities or the relevant disability what it is – “Disability,” “Down syndrome,” etc.
I couldn’t put it better.
Watch and share the video and site, please: this is a message that I’ve been waiting a long time for.
