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Whether you are a person with a disability, family member, friend, teacher, service provider, or member of the media, we encourage you to continually look for feedback about your word choice from the Disability Community and practice the language tips provided in this guide.
25 Φεβ 2024 · When speaking to or about someone with a disability, it’s important to make note of which terms are offensive, outdated, and inappropriate. Throughout this page, we’ll unpack why certain terms are used and take a deeper look inside the debate on disability terminology.
People with disability are often described in ways that discriminate and demean us. Expressions such as ‘victim’ or ‘suferer’ suggest we are unhappy about our lives, or that we wish we were ‘normal’. Words like these contain an implicit, and deeply ofensive, assumption that we are to be viewed as objects of pity.
When communicating with or about a person with a disability, be mindful of the powerful efect of words and language. Inclusive language seeks to avoid reinforcing stigma, biases, or stereotypes that contribute to marginalization. People with disabilities are a diverse group and experience disability in many ways.
CHOOSE PEOPLE-FIRST LANGUAGE Words have power. Far too often, when talking about people living with health conditions or who engage in certain activities, we put the emphasis on that condition or activity--reducing people to one thing they have or do. By using people-first language and putting the person before the condition, we can change the ...
However, it is important to understand why these words matter and which to avoid when writing about people with disabilities. Below, you will find a list of words or phrases to avoid, what to use instead, and a short rationale for each. Replace the slang word “retarded” with “ridiculous” or something not offensive.
People with disability are people first – people who have families, who work, and who participate in our communities. People with disability want our lives to be respected and afirmed. In addition, many people with disability are proud of being disabled, and want that identity respected.
