Office Of Disability Concerns Marks Name Change
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In an attempt to cast Oklahoma's disabled community in a more positive light, legislation that changed a state agency's name has now gone into effect.
House Bill 1084, by Rep. Paul Wesselhöft, renamed the Oklahoma Office of Handicapped Concerns as the Office of Disability Concerns. This week new signage reflecting the name change was added to the agency's headquarters.
"It was a wonderful sight to see," said Wesselhöft, R-Moore. "It is important that we be sensitive to the disabled community, making sure they are viewed as people with disabilities and not 'handicapped.' We need to do whatever we can to show our support and this is just one more step in that direction."
Steve Stokes, ODC Director, said the word handicap comes from the expression "cap in hand," a reference to beggars that many people with disabilities think is inappropriate and belittles their ability to function as everyday citizens."It was time we utilize more appropriate language and get rid of a derogatory term," Wesselhöft said.
House Bill 1084, by Rep. Paul Wesselhöft, renamed the Oklahoma Office of Handicapped Concerns as the Office of Disability Concerns. This week new signage reflecting the name change was added to the agency's headquarters.
"It was a wonderful sight to see," said Wesselhöft, R-Moore. "It is important that we be sensitive to the disabled community, making sure they are viewed as people with disabilities and not 'handicapped.' We need to do whatever we can to show our support and this is just one more step in that direction."
Steve Stokes, ODC Director, said the word handicap comes from the expression "cap in hand," a reference to beggars that many people with disabilities think is inappropriate and belittles their ability to function as everyday citizens."It was time we utilize more appropriate language and get rid of a derogatory term," Wesselhöft said.
posted by Mike McCarville @ 11:27 AM
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