Inclusive language for talking about disability and people with disability

First things first, let’s talk about disability. Disability exists in many different forms. Some disability is visible and some isn’t. The language preferred by someone with a disability can vary depending on their experience of their disability and on personal preference.

How to avoid ableist language

Ableist language is language which implies that people with disabilities are abnormal. Though often inadvertent, ableist language devalues people who have a disability or separates them out from other people. As always, it’s important to ask for appropriate language if you’re in a conversation and don’t know what’s appropriate. If you can’t ask, there are some other things you should consider.

Person-First Vs Identity-First Language

Both of these uses of language are acceptable in different situations to different people. Person-first language puts the person before their disability (e.g. "Person with Autism" or “Person with Tourettes”) with the intention of not naming a disability as the person’s defining trait.

Identity-first language does the opposite, acknowledging that the disability may be a key part of the person’s identity or community (e.g. "deaf person" rather than “person with deafness”). This is why it can be important to ask for preferred language.

Watch 🎥 Joe Wells stand up bit on person-first language

Read article 📖 Identity First Language by Lydia Brown

Avoid:

Unnecessary euphemisms like "differently abled" as they treat disability as though it’s taboo or shameful to speak about
Using "normal" to refer to people without disability, as it implies an "abnormal".
Using terms like "wheelchair-bound" or "confined" to wheelchairs that imply that the support tools someone uses are a negative. Instead say someone uses a wheelchair.

Encouraged:

Being specific where appropriate. For example, "They are a wheelchair user - is there ramp access?” is fine because it’s relevant to the point of discussion.

Glorifying living with disability

Using terms like “brave” or “heroic” to describe someone living with their disability can be well-intentioned but demeaning. It is not unusual for someone with a disability to have talents, skills, and abilities. Characterising them as “brave” or “heroic” can imply that the disability defines the person, when in reality they have much else to offer.

Talk about it when it’s relevant

It’s appropriate to mention a person’s disability when it’s relevant to the discussion or accessibility, but not to use it as a descriptor of a person.

Read 📖 The Association of University Centers on Disabilities Respectful Language Guide

Continue to ‘Inclusive language for talking about people of different age groups’.