Objection to a Term
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I was distressed to see the use of the term wheelchair bound in the subheading of Daniel Williams’ Jan. 16 article on John Hockenberry (“A Very Able Disabled Reporter”). It is inaccurate.
I know of no one who uses a wheelchair who doesn’t get out of it at one time or another, if only to sleep. Without a wheelchair for mobility a person truly could be “bound.”
Many newspapers have amended their stylebooks in recent years and no longer recommend the use of wheelchair bound to describe a person who uses a wheelchair for mobility. The AP stylebook says of wheelchair bound : “Do not use this or variations.”
It is time that The Times changed its editorial policy to reflect the growing concern for and sensitivity to the way language both reflects and influences our views of people.
RUTH E. SEID, North Hollywood
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