The Language of Disability
It is important to more than 43 million Americans with disabilities that they be portrayed realistically and spoken to respectfully. People with disabilities prefer that you focus on their individuality, not their disability, unless of course, it is the topic about which you are writing or speaking.
For example, the words "disabled people" define people as disabled first and people second. The term "people with disabilities" is the preferred usage since it stresses the humanity of individuals.
Tips for speaking to or about people with disabilities
| Don't use: | Use these People First terms instead! |
| 1. the deaf | 1. people who are deaf |
| 2. the vision impaired | 2. people with vision impairments |
| 3. the disabled | 3. people with disabilities |
| 4. polio victim | 4. had polio |
| 5. a victim of AIDS | 5. a person with AIDS |
| 6. bound/confined to a wheelchair | 6. uses a wheelchair |
| 7. homebound employment | 7. employed in the home |
| 8. victim | 8. person who has or experienced |
| 9. crippled | 9. person with a disability |
| 10. invalid | 10. person who has a disability caused by |
In addition to the previous appropriate terms, be careful not to imply that people with disabilities are to be pitied, feared, or ignored, or that they are somehow more heroic, courageous, patient, or "special" than others. Never use the term "normal" in contrast.
When talking about people with disabilities, always choose words that carry nonjudgmental connotations and are accurate descriptions.
Finally, remember that a person with a disability is a person like anyone else. If you don't know what to say or do, let the person who has the disability help put you at ease and set the pace for talking.