A few days ago, I went to update our camp information for the 2025 season, I was surprised to find an outdated term when reviewing the camp submission. This was not for the public to see, but under “Camp Emphasis” the older term “hearing impairments” popped up. I immediately reached out about changing it to the current preferred term: “Deaf and Hard of Hearing” as was shown in the public camp listings, which had already been changed a few years ago.

I received an immediate response from Eric Beermann detailing they have been working on updating terms and sometimes they get hidden and not noted during the first go-thru of the site. Websites do have many layers, and it can be tricky to figure out what is hidden and unnoticed. They thoughtfully sent me a link for me to verify and see that it had indeed been changed.

It seems like a small thing and was quickly resolved. And since the location would never be seem by the public, why did this matter at all? Why did I feel that it should be taken care of, and right now? Why do I even mind? I grew up with this term. I was in an educational “program for children with hearing impairments” for five years before I was fully mainstreamed. This is how I was labeled medically and educationally. I even described myself this way, along with “deaf” or “hard of hearing.” I never really gave it much thought. But as an adult, I met many others who were Deaf or hard of hearing, who did, in fact, mind. They minded quite a bit. It was pointed out that we don’t call people who rely on wheelchairs “walking impaired.” People who use elevators aren’t “stair-impaired.” The term “Impaired” has many negative connotations. When people drive under the influence they are “impaired.” The idea is to Fix / Correct/ Replace whatever/whoever is impaired.

This is why it was important to take care of right away. It’s important to get language right and stay on top of it as language changes constantly. We want those that follow us know that we were good caretakers and thought of them appropriately. I am on my 20^th year as an Administrator for Camp Chris Williams for deaf and hard of hearing youth ages 11-17. I am aware I may not always be the one to update our camp listing, and I want those who follow me to feel that I was a good caretaker. That is what we do, as we hold onto legacy positions that will continue, hopefully long after we are gone.

As you update your camps, think about what words you are using to promote the populations of your camps. Camp Chris Williams often serves children with multiple disabilities; we don’t list them all because the core of our camp mission is that they must be deaf or hard of hearing to join our camp. About 30% of children who are deaf or hard of hearing have another disability, so we are indeed a Very Special Camp, and grateful for this site so families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind and DeafPlus (D/HH/DB/DP) children can find us!

Nan Asher

Administrator, Camp Chris Williams https://www.michdhh.org/camp-chris-williams.html

Treasurer, Michigan Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People