CYBERJAYA, JULY 24 — The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (Content Forum) has joined forces with advocates to promote the use of respectful and inclusive disability language. Recognizing the significance of language in shaping perceptions and behaviors, the Content Forum aims to break barriers and foster inclusivity for all individuals. In response to an open letter signed by 108 individuals urging media representatives and politicians to use appropriate terminology when referring to persons with disabilities and disability-related matters, the Content Forum expresses its full support for this cause.
As an industry-led organization dedicated to promoting self-regulation in content creation and consumption, the Content Forum is taking proactive steps to deepen its understanding of the issue. It is committed to ensuring that all its endeavors related to disability are empowering, inclusive, and devoid of negative stereotypes and derogatory labels.
“We have much to learn in this aspect, and we are committed to being an effective advocate for meaningful inclusion and representation of all persons with disabilities across all platforms, especially by involving those with lived experience,” says Mediha Mahmood, the Executive Director of the Content Forum. Driven by its dedication to fostering inclusivity and equal representation, the Content Forum is thrilled to collaborate with esteemed partners, including AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group) and The OKU Rights Matter Project (www.okurightsmatter.com).
This collaboration aims to establish a comprehensive framework that promotes practical guidelines for disability-inclusive language and content. The resulting initiative will serve as a go-to resource for various professionals, including media practitioners, medical professionals, advocates, and the general public. Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS, Consultant Paediatrician and child-disability rights activist, emphasizes, “Using respectful language in referring to persons with disabilities is not only a matter of courtesy but one of justice, inclusion, and empowerment.
Respectful language is not about being politically correct; it is about being accurate, recognizing the person (instead of focusing on the impairment), the dignity of each human being, and their rights to equality and justice.” Beatrice Leong, Co-founder of AIDA and an autistic self-advocate, adds, “For many of us in the disabled community, especially the autistic community, the media and the internet serve as bridges for communication. By changing how we report and speak about the disabled community, we can begin to change society’s perception and stigma towards them.
We cannot underestimate the power of seeing our own lives and stories reflected respectfully, empowering our identities.” In addition to the Disability-inclusive Language Guidelines, the Content Forum believes in the power of collective action and collaboration to drive positive change. Alongside its partners, the Content Forum is actively working on various initiatives, including public awareness campaigns, advocating for disabled community representatives as collaborators for accurate representation, and providing content and language training based on the guidelines to its members and the public.
