Should Reporters Describe Disability?

Yesterday, the official AP Stylebook Twitter Account responded to a query about describing wheelchair users. Here’s the exchange: @APStylebook Phrase “wheelchair user” is in 2015 handbook, but I still see “confined to”/”disabled” used. How does this change? #RaganChat — Alison Carville (@AlisonCarville) June 21, 2016 We suggest not describing an individual as disabled or handicapped … Continue ReadingShould Reporters Describe Disability?

Upcoming Webinar: Disability and Journalism – Telling Better Stories

I’m very excited to announced that I will be joining with Lawrence Carter-Long to offer a free webinar on disability and journalism on May 11, via The Poynter Institute.  There are 56 million Americans who identify as disabled. Tens of millions more are connected to disability as direct caregivers or family members. Yet journalism about … Continue ReadingUpcoming Webinar: Disability and Journalism – Telling Better Stories

Two Ethical Futures for The Mighty

The Mighty is a well-funded website that publishes personal essays about disability. Narratives tend to be parent-driven or illness-driven, but they throw a huge amount of content out at the internet without much editorial oversight. The editors search through the vibrant disability-related blogosphere and ask to republish essays for free as well as publishing essays … Continue ReadingTwo Ethical Futures for The Mighty

Disability Journalism: Rose Eveleth on not writing ableist garbage

Rose Eveleth has become one of my favorite writers on technology. Lately, she’s been  focusing specifically on prosthetics. It’s an area that technology is rapidly transforming. It’s great to have deeply thoughtful journalists reporting on both the science and the social implications. In this blog post, she reflects on what she’s learned on her beat … Continue ReadingDisability Journalism: Rose Eveleth on not writing ableist garbage