Not “Special Needs” —Just Human Needs

by Vicki Leeper, Outreach Coordinator, Disability Action Center NW

There is a problem with the words “special needs.” These words only exist so that people don’t have to say the word “disability.” It allows non-disabled people, to avoid describing people, generally children, as having a disability — because they view disability as something bad. But disability is not inherently bad. It’s a natural part of being human. Don’t say “special needs” when you really mean “human needs.”

By definition, saying “Special Needs” characterizes the needs of disabled people as “extra” or “burdensome.” Access and accommodation are not extras. Access and accommodation are not burdens. It’s time to stop using the term special needs. We are all at different points in our journey. Language and vernacular are constantly changing. It’s time to change Special Needs to Disabled. Or Disability. It’s ok to say the word. There’s nothing wrong with being a disabled person. We can take cues from other advocates and move on. Here are 8 reasons why:

1. Disabled is not a dirty word. Why do we avoid using it? Calling a disabled person anything else does not make them any less disabled. Disability is a word of pride. A word reclaimed. Part of an identity. A community. It’s a part of YOU and that part is important.

2. Disability is a normal part of human diversity. Somewhere around 25% of the population is disabled. The presence of disability enriches our humanity in ways we can’t even imagine. Being disabled is not something of which to be ashamed or scared. It’s just a fact of life.

3. Our needs are not special. We need to communicate, eat, go to school, get a job, have friends and leisure activities. These needs aren’t any different from anyone else. But how you access them is different. Disabled people need accessible transit, schools, theaters, restaurants, swimming pools, shopping malls and anything else you can think of. The needs aren’t special, the access is. And by law, it is our right!

4. Special needs sounds like the solution is a favor. It’s not about people with disabilities dealing with the disability, it’s people with disabilities dealing with life.

5. The language we use mirrors how we think. By deciding what we want to call ourselves, owning it, we reclaim our power and celebrate the history and community advocacy that made it possible.

6. Most disabled people prefer this. Not all of them, but enough of them, the majority of them identify as having a disability and not a special need.

7. Avoiding the word disability implies negativity. Being disabled is not a tragedy! This brings to mind the term handy-capable. Just understand that disabled people are capable of doing things, maybe just in a different way.

8. Special needs is not an ineffective euphemism. It doesn’t work. We don’t have special needs — we just need an adaptive world!

People mistakenly think saying special needs helps with low self-esteem and may stop bullying. The fact is one in four Americans have a disability, and everyone who lives long enough will develop one. Normalize disability, like being left-handed, is the best way to move forward. Disability is a neutral, factual word that does not need to be replaced. After all, who among us really wants to ride the “special” bus.

We’re Here to Help!

With a disability, you face barriers every day at work, home, in the community, or simply in getting services. To remove these barriers, we work for changes at the community, state, and national levels to: remove physical, communication and attitude barriers; gain community support for independence; include people with disabilities in community life; remove workplace barriers; and create or find funding to remove barriers.

Disability Action Center, Northwest (DAC NW) provides independent living services while fostering attitudes, policies, and environments of equality and freedom for all ages. We encourage people with disabilities to take control of their lives and to live life to the fullest. Some of the services we offer are: Housing Advocacy & Assistance, In-Home Support, Independent Living Skills Learning, Individual & Community Advocacy, Peer Advocacy Counseling, Transportation Resources, Medical Equipment Exchange.

DAC NW also administers the Ramp Up Project providing short-term loans of aluminum modular ramps to people with paralysis and other conditions in our service area.

And, we help with Assistive Technology (AT) to help perform a task or communicate through the means of technology. DAC AT Specialists can provide you with information, sort through what types of AT might be useful, where it can be found, and how to use it.

Please visit our website: DACNW.org to learn more, and by phone at 800-475-0070.

Join us at these events!

Vicki Leeper was hired by the DAC NW Board of Directors to do the outreach for all four offices. She uses her 10 years of marketing experience to get the word out about DAC. She finds making education information accessible to our consumers and the community through outreach, the website and social media very rewarding. Vicki helps promote the independent living philosophy of DAC and other related local organizations throughout Idaho and Eastern Washington.

Join us at these events!

Daciversary celebrating 30 years! Open House May 1st from 4-6 pm, at DAC NW, 3726 E Mullan Ave, Post Falls ID. Free refreshments, activities and meeting peers and staff and the opportunity to learn 30 factoids about DAC NW.

Daciversary celebrating 30 years! Open House May NW,3726 E Mullan Ave, Post Falls ID. Free refreshments, and staff and the opportunity to learn 30 factoids about Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebration

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Celebration July 29th (See Below)

Ihave heard it said, “All is fair in love and war.” Obviously, since there are no rules to follow, many will be broken over the course of time!

But, when it comes to the government and rules, every tiny detail needs to be adhered to! These rules are under constant scrutiny and change. Rules are in place to protect the innocent, that’s you!

So, the “Rules of Engagement,” which I will review, have to do with the ability to talk with Medicare Beneficiaries. These rules are under the jurisdiction of the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) as well as the State Departments of Insurance. Don’t worry, I won’t make this too complicated!

The first document, is called a “Scope of Appointment Confirmation Form,” or SOA. This form must be completed