National Association of the Deaf

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) sent letters to major, well-known dictionaries including Merriam-Webster, Oxford, American Heritage, Dictionary.com, Encarta, Harper Collins and Random House requesting that the word “audism” be added as an entry in their dictionary products.  “Audism”, first coined in 1975, is generally defined as prejudice, stereotype, or discrimination – both intentional and unintentional – on the basis of hearing, typically against persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.  In its letter, the NAD provided rationale and support for the inclusion of this word, including coinage, subsequent usage, quantity of use, and usage in different forums (academic, literature media, reference, etc.).

“We urge dictionaries to include the word ‘audism’ which not only has become a concept generally accepted in our community but would also raise the bar in discourse, awareness of, and respect for the civil, human, and linguistic rights of the deaf and hard of hearing community,” said NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins.  “In the same vein that ‘racism’ and ‘sexism’ changed the framework for race and gender issues, we believe that adding the word ‘audism’ to dictionaries is one step towards a new paradigm shift in the perception of deaf and hard of hearing people from all walks of life.”

Click here to view the letter sent to Merriam-Webster; similar letters went to other major dictionary companies.