‘Disabled’ Not ‘Handicapped’

Scott R. Baker

To the Editor:

As a Board member of Tri-County Independent Living, I agree with Tim Haskett that there are many barriers for the disabled community to navigate in our area [“Challenges of Accessibility,” May Senior News, page 6].

I believe that improvements to accessibility have taken place in Humboldt County, but more need to be addressed.

I want to comment on Mr. Haskett’s use of the term “handicapped” in his article. “Handicapped” is no longer used when address accessibility issues; “disabled” is the preferred term. The “disabled” are not “handicapped.” The “disabled” have many talents and contribute to our community in many ways.

Scott R. Baker, McKinleyville

Tim Haskett responds: “Thank you, Scott, for your comment and for clarification of the language around disability discussions.”

In Your Opinion, Opinion

Opinion: Better Health Care Is Everyone’s Job

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I want to thank Dr. Keith Flamer for convening the New Vision for Humboldt Health Care Task Force (see “A Call to Action,” May Senior News, page 1). This effort of local community and business leaders deserves our full attention and support. As Dr. Bruce Kessler’s article in May’s Senior News points out (“Hum...

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Opinion: Battling the Demon of Femicide

By Al Mays

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We all too often forget and cannot neglect life’s demons. They cannot be eradicated without seriously believing that they are real. Femicide is such a demon. The term “femicide” is rarely used in official U.S. statistics, as murders of women are normally categorized as homicides. According to a U.N. study, fe...

Letters to the Editor, Opinion

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Corinne Frugoni

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To the Editor: Were you perplexed as I was over the May “Health in Humboldt 2026” issue of Senior News? As in this issue, recent local forums have addressed the current defective state of healthcare availability in Humboldt County. While pertinent questions have been asked along with recognition that our curr...

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A Good Prescription

Vicki Stevens

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To the Editor: I want to thank Dr. Heidmann for her March column “What is Good Health?” As a participant of Redwood Coast PACE, I was encouraged by her words and insights. I live daily with chronic illness and pain, and her last paragraph has become a great way for me to focus on my health: “Good health is, a...