Disability Awareness Handout E

Disability Related Language

A. Basic Information

The language we use, and the images that we create and promote through language, reflect the attitudes we have towards any particular group of people. Our language is picked up and evaluated by others around us. The words and phrases that are preferred show respect for the dignity of people with disabilities. Some describe this as "people-first" language where the individual is recognized as a person first, then further defined in terms of their characteristic, disability, or functional limitation (i.e. person who is deaf) likewise, services and programs do not have disabilities, but they are provided for people who do.

B. Preferred Terms and Expressions

These words and expressions are currently preferred and reflect a positive attitude. Some language is "trendy" and meanings may vary depending on context or locale.

*	person with a disability	*	disabled
*	hearing impaired		*	deaf
*	vision impaired			*	non disabled
*	developmentally disabled	*	mentally retarded
*	mobility disability		*	wheelchair-user or uses a wheelchair
*	person with cerebral palsy	*	person with paraplegia
*	blind				*	low vision
*	psychologically/emotionally disabled

Again, the ideal is to incorporate these words into our language in a way that expresses the dignity of the person.

C. Outdated/Inaccurate Terms and Expressions

We are often not aware of the biases or negative attitudes expressed in our language. Eliminating the bad words is as important as using the good words. These words and expressions have strong negative, derogatory connotations. Avoid using them and discourage use by others as much as possible:

handicapped		cerebral-palsied	crazy

insane			cripple		crip

deaf mute		defective 		deaf and dumb

deformed		gimp			invalid

maimed		paralytic		lame

arthritic		epileptic		poor unfortunate

spastic		spaz			retard

afflicted		victim			withered

stricken		wheelchair-bound	confined to a wheelchair

D. Examples of Good and Bad Usage

Language should accurately portray an individual or situation. It should emphasize the person rather than the disability.

Don't say. . . "A large bank in Southern California modified its building for its handicapped employees and customers. Subsequently, the bank initiated an on-the-job managerial training program which included afflicted college seniors. Participants included those stricken with various conditions."

But instead say . . . "A large bank in Southern California modified its building for its employees and customers with disabilities. Subsequently, the bank initiated an on-the-job managerial training program which included college seniors with disabilities. Participants included individuals who had either cerebral palsy, psychological/emotional disability, or a hearing impairment."

E. Other Considerations

Our attitudes towards people with disabilities are revealed when talking about people who are not disabled. When we say "able-bodied" or "normal", we must be aware of the subtle message or implication that we feel people with disabilities are not "able" or "healthy" or are "abnormal." This also applies to programs or services provided for people who are not necessarily disabled that are described as, for example, "regular" with the implication that services provided to people with disabilities are "irregular."

Not all people with disabilities agree on which language or terminology is preferred like any other large, yet identifiable group of people, individuals will vary as to how they refer to themselves and how they refer to them. The suggestions given above will apply to most people and be correct in most situations.