A Meeting with a Special Guest Diana Rihl Penniman

A Meeting with a Special Guest Diana Rihl Penniman, Deputy Director of International Programs, Best Buddies International on Political Correctness, Human Rights, and Disabilities (with a presentation on Best Buddies) was held on May 23, 2013 at Vinnytsia WOA Center.

Topic: Political Correctness, Human Rights, and Disabilities

Special Guest: Diana Rihl Penniman, Deputy Director of International Programs, Best Buddies International 

 Fun Fact of the Day: “In Hartford, Connecticut, it is illegal to educate a dog” (lmtcg.com). 

1. Have you heard of the Best Buddies International program? What are your opinions about it? Would you like to become a part of this program? How do you think it helps everyone involved in the organization, including volunteers? 

Definitions: aurally inconvenienced (deaf), visually impaired (blind), hair disadvantages (a little hair or even bald), person with alternative body image (fat), vertically challenged (short), charming-free (boring), chronologically challenged (old), terminally inconvenienced (dead), involuntary undomiciled (homeless), canine American (dog living in the USA). 

2. What does the term “political correctness” mean to you? Do you think that this notion is essential in everyday life and interactions with others? What tends to happen when a person is not politically correct? How do you interact with individuals who ignore political correctness and deliberately offend others? 

3. What is the definition of the word “disabilities”? Why do you think people should say “a person with disabilities,” instead of “disabled” or “handicapped”? Have you heard of the “Spread the Word to End the Word- No Use of the Word ‘Retard’” campaign? Do you think that this is an essential international movement? Why or why not? 

4.How does economic crisis affect programs for individuals in wheelchairs, visually impaired or aurally inconvenienced people, etc.? How important are these accessibility programs? Do you think it is important to help all people who appear to be “in need”? What is your position about begging in the streets, for example? Is it a good or bad idea to help in these cases? 

5. What are “human rights”? How could we help provide the equality of human rights for people with disabilities? Why do you think this sort of equality is important? What can each of us do on a daily basis to help others in need and to increase rights and promote a better quality of life for others? 

6. How is “political correctness” related to our discussion on “disabilities” and “human rights”? Do you consider yourself as a politically correct person? After this discussion, do you think you will make a greater effort to be politically correct when dealing with others? How can political correctness be balanced with freedom of speech and expression? 

Schedule:  

Saturday, 25 May at 10:30

Thursday, 30 May at 5:30