BREAKING BARRIERS

Beijing Olympics organizers issued an apology June 2 for language used in a manual for 70,000 volunteers describing how to treat athletes with disabilities.

In part, the questionable language read: “Some physically disabled are isolated, unsocial and introspective. … They can be stubborn and controlling; they may be sensitive and struggle with trust issues. Sometimes they are overly protective of themselves, especially when they are called ‘crippled’ or ‘paralyzed.’”

Commenting on the language, U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby team member Mark Zupan said, “When you’re bringing people together from all over the world, you have ignorance.”

The manual is being rewritten.

Article from New Mobility magazine online