Read my latest flash, Venison, at 52|250.

Though I still have issues with Pepsi for their environmental record (among other things), I have to give them credit for this commercial (and for bringing the phrase “people with different abilities” to Super Bowl coverage):

That said, I do think that they’re choosing a relatively “easy” subgroup of the differently abled. While there is a lot of ignorance about deafness and deaf culture, Pepsi is at least unlikely to face the barrage of criticism they would face were they to do the equivalent for neurological differences like autism. Acceptance of those who think differently would threaten the status quo more than acceptance of those with sensory differences does at this point.

But then, I can always hope that what helps one group will also help others and lead the way to broader acceptance and respect.