PD name change? "Physical Differability"

Posts: 5

Emma Oregan

Topic starter

Dec 20, 2018 6:53 pm

(@emma-oreganoxfordshire-gov-uk)

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Joined: 8 years ago

[#633]

Hi Everyone,

In Oxfordshire we have been talking for a while about changing our PD Team name as we find the 'disability' a little negative, and that we focus on 'accessibility', inclusion and celebrating diversity and difference in our roles. We really support and value PD Net and want to keep the same initials so there is no confusion within county and wider (The SEN world is horrendous for acronyms!). We came across the term 'differability' and some of us really liked it. There was a #Differability movement on Twitter a couple of years ago - celebrating diversity and difference. A couple of us in our team would like to change our name to the Physcial Differability (PD) Team. We wondered what PD Net members think about this..? Your thoughts will be really welcome. Thanks, and Happy Christmas! Emma

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Posts: 6

Stuart Pattison

Dec 20, 2018 7:05 pm

(@sgpattisongmail-com)

Active Member

Joined: 8 years ago

I can understand your thoughts . Personally I would feel before making any change it would be best talking to a range of people with PD as some would be offended by differability and see it as potentially patronising. However if there was a feeling it was more appropriate then by all means make the change.

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Posts: 5

Emma Oregan

Topic starter

Dec 21, 2018 8:37 am

(@emma-oreganoxfordshire-gov-uk)

Active Member

Joined: 8 years ago

Thanks for your thoughts, Stuart. We will definately talk with the CYP we work with and get their views. Thanks, Emma

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Posts: 1

Harminder Saran Wyborn

Dec 21, 2018 10:45 am

(@harminder-saran-wybornoxfordshire-gov-uk)

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Joined: 8 years ago

It would be really good to get a range of views from CYP - I can share that my child has strong views on this subject (!) He's fine with being 'different' (from his 'typical' mainstream peers) as long as nothing implies he is 'less', than peers without physical difficulties. His teacher this year has worked hard to promote the idea that we all learn and achieve in different ways, which has done wonders for his self-esteem (and curbed some unhelpful behaviour patterns from other children). Thanks, and have a good Christmas.

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Posts: 46

Rob Grayson

Dec 21, 2018 12:42 pm

(@robert-graysonhullcc-gov-uk)

Trusted Member

Joined: 8 years ago

wouldn't it be much simpler to use a real word? we are the physical difficulties team - we changed from disability as not all of the pupils we work with have a recognised disability but all have physical difficulties!

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