ආබාධ සහිත පුද්ගලයන් හැඳින්වීමට පුද්ගල-ප්‍රථම භාෂාවක් භාවිතා කරමු!

Abstract

On July 07, 2024, Sathi Aga Aruna, and on July 08, 2024, Aruna newspapers reported on efforts to facilitate voting for people with disabilities. The Sathi Aga Aruna headline used the derogatory term “Abadhitha” (ආබාධිත), and both newspapers used the terms such as “Abadhitha” (ආබාධිත), “Drushyabaditha” (දෘශ්‍යාබාධිත), “Shrawanabaditha” (ශ්‍රවනාබාධිත), “Chalana Abadhitha” (චලන ආබාධිත), and “Miti Pudgalayan” (මිටි පුද්ගලයන්), which may contribute to the marginalisation of people with disabilities, including those with dwarfism, and are considered unethical. However, Sathi Aga Aruna also used the more appropriate term “Chalana Abadha Sahitha Pudgalayan” (චලන ආබාධ සහිත පුද්ගලයන්). Media is advised to maintain neutrality, use person first language, and avoid terms that negatively highlight disabilities or promote marginalisation.