By Cynthia Ramos
Parking lots are exchanging their handicap signs for more politically correct versions and one group of students wants the University to do the same.
The word “handicap” derives from the phrase “cap in hand” for when those who were disabled were rejected from society; forced to beg with their cap in hand, Sean McCarthy, a student who is working for the cause, said.
Students of Special Education 102 want the University to use language that identifies those who are disabled as a person first, and their disability later in the parking signs that now say “for handicap only.”
The students want the signs to read, “People first, priority parking.”
Ideally, the class wants the handicap symbol removed, but understands it is an internationally recognized symbol.
“It’s not public knowledge that the word handicap is an outdated offensive term,” Katie Simmons, a SPED 102 student, said. “I was shocked to learn that it was.”
Jen Mormino, another student in the class agreed.
“Handicap gives a negative connotation,” she said. “We want to raise awareness about it.”
In 1975 the Education for all Handicap Children Act allowed children with disabilities access to public schools, in 1997 the name changed to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
“The name of the law itself now shows that we need to change to person-first language,” Mary Lou Bensy, professor of SPED 102, said.
“It’s time Hofstra recognizes the change that happened many years ago,” Mormino agreed.
Karin J. Spencer, dean of Academic Advisement and coordinator of Program for Higher Education for the Disabled (PHED) also agreed.
“In most other places the language has changed, the term handicapped is pretty much reduced in favor of people first, disability later,” she said. “The change is reasonable and I believe Hofstra’s administration is positive, opened to changes.”
Once the Student Government Association Justice Panel approves the request it will be presented to University President Stuart Rabinowitz, who will either approve or disapprove the request.
“Handicap is an old term and the actions of the class will motivate change,” Christian Hammel, a graduate assistant to PHED, said. “I think it’s a great idea.”
The class wants the change to begin at Hagedorn Hall, the location of the School of Education and Allied Health Service.
“Hagedorn is the center of education. Here, is where future teachers are taught, so naturally it should begin here,” Bensy said.
Hofstra became the first private university in the country to become fully accessible for people with disabilities in 1981.
Only two public universities achieved it beforehand; the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and the University of California at Berkeley.
“It is a nice idea, but my only concern is people who don’t understand the people first language might park in the spot without the international handicap symbol on the sign,” a student with disabilities who wished to be anonymous said.
While the student said she enjoys the University, there are some gray areas that she would like changed.
She said she wants more doors to be mechanical and elevators installed in the older buildings.
“I’m lucky because I can walk, but some people with disabilities, my friends, are not able to open the doors and if no one is around they are out of luck,” she said.
Bensy said she was pleased at how whole-heartedly the class took on the project.
“Upon learning the history of word ‘handicapped,’ they have stopped using it,” she said. “I know they changed and I know I have too. This idea was all theirs.”
Designated parking spaces on campus are politically incorrect, according to one group of students.