Petition: Why Does Microsoft Think Autism Is A Dirty Word?

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Just stating observation. I couldn't care less because I know they're doing it for the sole purpose to solicit butthurt by those they target. I actually find it hilarious because I know why they're doing it and people are getting baited hook, line and sinker, it's a nice supply of lulz. My guess is Microsoft noticed this trend on their Xbox live accounts (or someone complained about its use as a slur), otherwise they wouldn't have bothered to risk alienating people over it. This is a case of political correctness overcompensating as usual because people love to get offended over things based on assumptions. Then it's still offensive because it's censoring a word that should be innocent from such taint.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't basically.

Last edited by Nexus on 19 May 2012, 11:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I've signed the petition.

I probably should reply to this too before something else is passive aggressively implied again. None taken, but a simple "I'm a Madam actually" would have sufficed. In all honesty I responded without checking your profile and when I did see my mistake it was too late to correct it as you responded already.

Part of the text in the petition is worded quite politely, and presumes that Microsoft may have had noble intentions in their decision making process to not allow the term Autism to be used in gamertags. The potential problem seems to be with the title of this topic, the title of the petition, and part of the text in the petition quoted below that presents an implication that Microsoft may perceive Autism as an offensive/dirty word, when there is no evidence of that.



I'm not sure that it was intended this way, but it sounds a little strong armed, considering there is no evidence that the corporation has done anything wrong, at this point.

It is evident in the comments that some have taken the title and this statement literally and actually believe that Microsoft has expressed some kind of idea that Autism is a dirty word.

It is very likely that the opposite is true, and they do not allow any term for a gamertag that describes any medical disorder out of respect for individuals with medical disorders. I understand that Microsoft can be difficult to contact, but that is the question that I would ask either through an email or a phone call to customer service.

If they confirm this rationale, they have solid footing in the business decision, as a fair and equitable one for all individuals with disorders, and there is likely nothing that is going to change that business decision. There is about 1.5 million individuals estimated diagnosed with Autism, just in the US, and many millions more that have a stake in the representation of how the term is used, per private corporation policy.

I think the tone in the comments in the petition would likely be more effective in approach, in seeking the potential change, if the title of the petition is directed toward a more positive approach, like Petition Microsoft to allow Autistics to self-identify in Xbox live Gamertags.

Found a means to make such an enquiry through proper channels via e-mail: https://help.xbox.com/eform.aspx?productKey=xbox360live&ct=eformts&scrx=1

It includes the option for "Gamertag Questions", so naturally someone there may provide answers at least. So don't bother with the petition as they're useless most of the time, send your query directly to them and if enough people do it they may review it due to 'public interest'. Personally I don't care but figured I'd be helpful still at least.

Thanks for the link. I tried the email process and Microsoft suggests that a reply will be sent to answer the question within two days. At this point I am curious what their rationale is for banning the word, and if they will provide a specific answer for that question. I also asked if there was any possibility that the company would consider revising their policy to allow autistic individuals to self identify with the term Autism as a Gamer tag, as the did for those individuals wanting to use terms describing sexual orientation in their gamer tags.

If anyone gets a response back like we will consider this, if one can contact an organization like ASAN and get their backing to send email communication to the link provided, in representation of the autistic individuals that organization supports, it could be an additional avenue of influence that might make a difference.

No need to give up on the petition, but in effecting change, all avenues of potential influence are worth a try.

If the rational is that the organization is concerned that the term might be used as a pejorative one against autistics, that should be not much harder to monitor than the usage of terms that identify sexual orientation.

However, again, if their policy is one that applies to all medical disorders, as a blanket business based decision, they may not reasonably be able to veer from that policy, per the same concerns of professionalism and respect in regard to this issue, that may hold true for all individuals with medical disorders with or without concern of pejorative use of the terms for medical disorders.

Gamertags may not be considered as appropriate per the realm of medical disorders and the disability movement that attempts to keep language regarding disabilities people first rather than disorder/disability first. While I understand that some individuals in online autistic communities self identify with the term autism/autistic, this is not the case for the entire population of individuals diagnosed with autism in the US. It is likely that the concern for those individuals with disabilities associated with autism, must be considered in Microsoft's decision making process on the issue.

However, the fact that there are some autistics that identify with the label of the disorder on a disability first basis, is unusual, and not often seen per other medical disorders that I am aware of, so perhaps Microsoft might take that into consideration, in making an exception, for the relatively few that might want to use the term to self identify with, in the Xbox live community.

It will be interesting to see what answers they might provide.

look forget it microsoft will never change there position and here is why.by using the americans with disabilities act microsoft could easily be sued or more likely forced to settle out of court.make no mistake about it this is much than just autism much more is at stake.it is unlikely that if someone sued microsoft over gaming tags that they would win,they would almost certainly loose however civil court is like little league baseball,if you dont show up you loose.so microsoft still must send $ 600 an hour lawyers to court or they would loose by forfiet so its much cheaper to settle out of court for a few thousand dollars then to pay high powered corporate lawyers hundreds an hour to do research and then go to court and get the case dismissed(and the case would be dismised) but lawyers fees are more expensive then out of court settlements.
The ADA has done much good for people with disabilities but it is also very over used and abused and fortune 500 corporation would almost certainly have lawyers that speciaslize in ADA law.i would bet my life that the policy of no disabilty identities in gaming tags is a policy drafted by such lawyers.
This issue is bigger and more complex than just autism any attempt to change this is in vain.the R word is there bigest concern but you ban 1 disabity identity you must ban them all,thats just how the law works

I think that is close to the most likely rationale, but it would be helpful, I think, for people to understand Microsoft's official position on it, if they are willing to provide it. Can't hurt to ask.

Again, I used this method.

Did you get any response? And do mind if I ask what it was?

yea very true

Pretty much lawyer speak for "we don't don't to get sued". It was months ago and I don't have the email anymore.

Thanks. I'm not a member of the Xboxlive community, but joined up to try to get answers. The answer was not provided by email, I was directed to the forums for an answer. I chatted with a microsoft representative and was provided information that using the term Autism as a gamertag is considered offensive per terms of service. Of course, Microsoft does not consider the term Autism by itself offensive; Microsoft considers it offensive to use it as a gamertag. I asked the question as to if this applies to all medical disorders and was directed toward a higher authority. I am waiting a response on that question.

The fact that Autism is considered a medical disorder puts it in a different classification than sexual orientation. Although on a subjective basis, the personal desire to use the term for self identification is similar in ideology.

Not likely Microsoft is going to get involved in the ideologies of the Autism Community, where some do indeed want to self identify with the term Autism, and others do not want any part of what is considered "autism pride", looking at the disorder strictly as a disabling one. I support your right to petition them for the change you and others want to see in the policy, regardless of my objective analysis of the situation.

If I can find out more information, I will report it.

you actualy spoke to a representitive on the phone or on a live chat forum,

It was a customer service live chat session. There is a phone number where one can call to talk to a customer representative, but I wanted to have documentation of the conversation.

I'm still waiting to hear from a higher authority to see, if they will answer my question as to whether or not all medical disorders are treated the same, in regard to this issue of usage considered offensive as a gamertag..

You are a genius with researching things,you should have gone to law school.you would have made one hell of a lawyer