PC and the journalist
PC (Political Correctness) poses many new challenges for journalists. We don't have to accept every demand of the "style police" - those word-banners who too often fail to offer sensible alternatives. BUT there is strong argument for us journalists to show extra sensitivity in certain areas, especially when reporting on disabilities. A surprisingly large proportion of readers and viewers are likely to be disabled to some degree. They rightly object to being figuratively lumped together as "wheelchair-bound" or "crippled". And before calling someone blind or deaf be sure that they really are - maybe they simply can't see or hear as well as others. Partially blind, perhaps? Blind in one eye? (But please - not "visually challenged"!). Deaf might simply mean hard of hearing, or hearing impaired.
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