Representation of inclusive language on disability in knowledge organization systems

Abstract

Knowledge representation is the subdiscipline within knowledge organization that focuses on the processes of symbolizing knowledge recorded in documents. Through these processes, the contents are codified, thematized and normalized to be recovered. Knowledge organization systems are created following procedures and standards within the discipline. However, being a product of human intellect, they present the biases of their creators, and especially their time and space. In this framework, the thematic indexing of documents referring to people with disabilities is proposed as a research topic. This research proposes as an objective to study representation using inclusive language in knowledge organization systems. It is considered appropriate to apply an exploratory methodology with a qualitative approach that combines methods and techniques regularly used in ​​knowledge organization. The aim is to provide a clear definition of what is meant by inclusive language through the literature review. Present the existing concepts in the knowledge organization systems used for thematic classification regarding disability. Show the different expressions used in knowledge organization systems such as thesauri and controlled lists of terms. For this, the UNESCO Thesaurus, EUROVOC, OECD Macrothesaurus, and SPINES Thesaurus were chosen because they are accessible online and in Spanish. As a result of the research, we can highlight the need for the information to be updated so that the mediator of any information unit has the inclusive tools for basic consultation. Information retrieval must be relevant and satisfying, that is, accurate. The number of recovered documents that are considered relevant must take precedence over the total number of recovered documents. It is hoped that this research will have contributed towards classificationists who create thesaurus and controlled lists of terms, so that indexers can carry out the thematic process of documents in line with current terminology and that suggested by representative institutions of people with disabilities.