Times have changed for people with disabilities...
but language lags behind.
Life for most people with mental or physical disabilities is vastly improved
over what it was twenty or thirty years ago. The Americans with Disabilities
Act and other federal and state laws assure that people with disabilities
have the same basic rights as people without disabilities. Some things have
been slower to change; namely, attitudes and perceptions about people with
disabilities. Ignorance and discrimination can be serious impediments to
achieving integration, productivity, and independence for people with disabilities.
The use of outdated language and words to describe people with disabilities
contributes greatly to perpetuating old stereotypes. No longer should we
view people with disabilities as helpless or tragic victims. Awareness is
the first step toward correcting this injustice. If public opinion about
people with disabilities is to be brought up to date, the public needs to
hear and learn to use appropriate language. It is especially important for
the media, elected officials, public speakers, and others in leadership positions
to portray people with disabilities sensitively and realistically. This is
a guide to using descriptive words and language when talking to or about
people with disabilities.
Guidelines for Talking about Disability
- Do not refer to a person's disability unless it is relevant.
- Use "disability" rather than "handicap" to refer to a person's disability.
It is okay to use "handicap" to describe accessibility accommodations,
such as handicap parking; but it is better to use "accessible" in those
instances. It is also okay to say that a person is handicapped by obstacles,
such as architectural barriers or the attitudes or ignorant or insensitive
people. Never use "cripple/crippled" in any reference of disability
- When referring to a person's disability, try to use "people first" language.
In other words, it is better to say "person with a disability" or "man
who has autism" rather than "a disabled person" or "an autistic man," particularly
in a first reference.
- Avoid referring to people with disabilities as "the disabled, the blind,
the epileptics, the retarded, a quadriplegic," etc. Descriptive terms
should be used as adjectives, not as nouns.
- Avoid negative or sensational descriptions of a person's disability.
Don't say "suffers from," "a victim of," or "afflicted with." Don't refer
to people with disabilities as "patients" unless they are receiving treatment
in a medical facility. Never say "invalid." These portrayals elicit unwanted
sympathy, or worse, pity toward individuals with disabilities. Respect
and acceptance is what people with disabilities would rather have.
- Don't portray people with disabilities as overly courageous, brave,
special, or superhuman. This implies that it is unusual for people with
disabilities to have talents or skills.
- Don't use "normal" to describe people who don't have disabilities.
It is better to say "people without disabilities" or "typical," if necessary
to make comparisons.
- Never say "wheelchair-bound" or "confined to a wheelchair." People
who use mobility or adaptive equipment are, if anything, afforded freedom
and access that otherwise would be denied them.
- Never assume that a person with a communication disorder (speech impediment,
hearing loss, motor impairment) also has a cognitive disability, such
as mental retardation. On the other hand, people with mental retardation
often speak well.
Rules for Appropriate Language
Use the terms person with a disability; has a disability; people with disabilities;
have disabilities. Avoid the terms: disabled person; the disabled; the handicapped,
invalids, patients, crippled, deformed, or defective.
Use the terms people without disabilities; typical person. Avoid the terms
normal, healthy, or able-bodied.
Use the terms wheelchair user or uses a wheelchair. Avoid the terms wheelchair-bound
or confined to a wheelchair.
Use the terms congenital disability or birth anomaly. Avoid the terms birth
defect or affliction.
Use the terms has cerebral palsy (CP) or other condition. Avoid the term
a victim of cerebral palsy.
Use the terms has had polio; experienced polio; or has a disability as a
result of polio. Avoid the terms suffers from polio; afflicted with polio,
or post-polios (as a noun referring to people).
Use the terms people who have mental retardation (MR); or person with mental
retardation. Avoid the terms "the mentally retarded"; mentally deficienta
retardate; a retard (never); or a feeble-minded person.
Use the terms child with a developmental delay (DD); or person with a developmental
disability. Avoid the term slow.
Use the term person with Down Syndrome. Avoid the terms the Down's person
or Mongoloid (never).
Use the terms person who has epilepsy people with seizure disorders seizure
or epileptic episode or event. Avoid the terms the epileptic (to describe
a person); the epileptics fits; or epileptic fits.
Use the term people who have mental illness person with a mental or emotional
disorder. Avoid the terms the mentally ill, crazy, psycho, or mental case
(never).
Use the terms people who are blind; visually impaired; person who is hard
of hearing; person who is deaf; or the Deaf (Deafness is a cultural phenomenon
and should be capitalized in those instances.) Avoid the terms the blind-hearing
impaired (translates as "broken hearing" in sign language), deaf-mute, or
deaf and dumb.
Use the term speech or communication disability. Avoid the term tongue-tied,
or mute.
