How about a campaign where the users get MNHQ staff to take diversity training?

[Ghostofasmile]

MNHQ themselves have displayed ignorance (at best) over the last few months and prejudice / discrimination at worst when dealing with certain situations.
For example Justine, the sites owner herself over the last few days has made some very ignorant and damaging comments about diabetes.
We have seen the same with many times with Racism too as well as low level disablism.

Unless you are white, middle class and able bodied HQ isn't a nice place to be.

Post here if you would like this to take place. HQ need training and they need it fast.

It was me who got upset on the hostel thread and I explained why on the actual thread (or it may have been on another of the threads) The posts about the vulnerable children in that teachers care should have been deleted but weren't as far as I know.

I do think language aside, there are issues surrounding lack of understanding regarding confidentiality and safeguarding where vulnerable people are concerned. They can't help being vulnerable and its our job as a society to make sure they are protected.

*My post isn't just about this issue - it's the prevailing attitude on here that MNHQ should do this or that. Should ban certain words (not racist or disablist words), should take a particular stance politically in regards to e.g trans issues. That they should stop the DM using threads. The demands that they should comment on this or that thread and the accusations thrown around when they don't.

I'm not being difficult or goady. I know there are issues on this site but it's a massive site which must be difficult to run and keep everyone happy. And no-one has to be here. It's an anonymous, free site.

I genuinely don't understand why people think they have a sense of ownership over it (to go as far as direct what training they think staff should get) yet somehow also hate it and are angered by it. Yes there are things that I object to on here but I would never think to demand this or that from MNHQ. I can delete my account at any time. It would have no impact for MN at all.

I appreciate that I might be on my own here but I really don't get it*

I agree with you.

oh dear

No I don't think you do get it where disablist language is concerned. I didn't get it before experiencing life with a disability.

If disabled people 'just left' every establishment that offended or excluded them (or obligingly accepted that there was no way to participate on equal terms) they would be left in an incredibly narrow existence. Unless you've lived it you have no idea.

Fortunately, the UK has (for now) taken the stance that disabled people shouldn't have to fight for an even playing field. There are guidelines and standards imposed on businesses and public establishments to ensure that disabled people can get in the door, use the facilities and are not treated in a manner that excludes them or is derogatory.

That is no more than we expect as women, as black people, as breast feeding mothers etc. No one would suggest a woman or a black person go eat their lunch somewhere else if they didn't like the offensive language. They would acknowledge that the establishment had a responsibility to ensure standards were met so that clients weren't offended. Equally, no one would suggest that a breast feeding mother should shrug her shoulders and go somewhere else if she is at the swimming pool and people start talking loudly and meaningfully about how disgusting it is that she's breast feeding etc. We have a problem with that and we should have a problem with disablism wherever we find it.

Slender, thank you for that well thought out response. I found it very interesting and not just because I'm mum to a 25 year old young man who is severely autistic, has Tourette's, frontal lobe epilepsy, paranoia and dillusions.

Thank you

I'm sorry that you and your son have so many challenges to face.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think you are listing your disabled son's complex needs in an act of sarcasm. Distasteful.

I'm surprised I had to explain that. But I did so in good faith.

Slender your reply says much about you and none of it good.

Well, likewise I'm afraid.