Disability and Language
This resource seeks to provide tips on rights-affirming language and narratives preferred by people with disabilities. It is a starting point intended to foster communications that affirm human dignity, reflect the power and autonomy of disabled people, and support the advancement of disability justice and rights.
Too often, mass media reinforces negative disability narratives and stereotypes. Adding to the confusion, non-disabled people often have limited interaction with people with disabilities, which sometimes leaves them uncertain about using the “right” language. This can hinder the critical conversations, learning, and interactions necessary to strengthen disability inclusion in our organizations and communities. That said, learning about language must be paired with genuine changes in attitudes and practices that commit organizations to disability inclusion.
Talking the Talk of Disability Inclusion
Use the terms “people with disabilities” or “disabled people” rather than euphemisms.
These terms are reflective of “person first” language and “identity first” language, respectively. According to The Arc, “people first language emphasizes the person, not the disability. By placing the person first, the disability is no longer the primary, defining characteristic of an individual, but one of several aspects of the whole person. It eliminates generalizations and stereotypes, by focusing on the person rather than the disability.” Click here to view a video conversation with Julie Petty, a disability advocate who prefers person first language.
Identity first language intentionally places the disability first, recognizing it as part of a person’s identity. Remember, language is personal and every person will have their own preferences. It is best to honor each individual’s preference. And be sure to keep in mind that terms like “differently-abled,” “physically challenged,” “handicapable,” or “special needs” are widely considered patronizing. Avoiding the word “disability” can inadvertently reinforce stigma.
Further Reading
- Guidelines: How to Write about People with Disabilities, University of Kansas, Research & Training Center on Independent Living
- It’s Perfectly OK To Call A Disabled Person ‘Disabled,’ And Here’s Why, HuffPost
- Identity-First Language, Autistic Self Advocacy Network
- Portrayal of People with Disabilities, Association of University Centers on Disabilities
- Challenging ableism through language justice, PhilanTopic
- Why You Need to Stop Using These Ableist Words and Phrases, Harvard Business Review
- It’s Time To Stop Even Casually Misusing Disability Words, Forbes
- How to talk about disability sensitively and avoid ableist tropes, NPR
Avoid Framing Disability as a Negative
Use language and narratives focused on the strength and agency of disabled people. Relatedly, accessible devices, such as wheelchairs or hearing aids, do not “confine” people with disabilities but advance inclusion and access. The term “accessible” is preferred to “handicapped,” which is outdated and unacceptable (i.e. accessible parking instead of handicapped parking).
Frame ableism and disability discrimination as a collective, systemic problem.
Ableism is a structural inequity and should be portrayed as such. Using the terms “overcome” or “in spite of” inaccurately suggests that the onus is on the disabled person to overcome discrimination through personal effort, or that a disability identity is inherently a problem to be solved. The problem is not the individual, but structural discrimination.
Use words and framing that reflect political and social power.
People with disabilities are active community participants and leaders and should be portrayed as such. Communications should depict disabled people interacting with those with and without disabilities. Avoid using words that sensationalize disability or connote pity, such as “suffers from,” “victim of,” or group designations like “the blind.”
Portray people with disabilities in a balanced way, not as heroic or inspiring.
It’s patronizing to portray a person with a disability as inspiring simply because they live their life, attend school, graduate from college, and go to work. When sharing stories about disabled people, avoid attributing their success to superhuman powers (also called “super crip”), which may reinforce ideas that disabled people must be exceptional to be valued.
Language guidance
Please note the below is a sample rather than a comprehensive list. For further guidance, we encourage you to reference the Disability Language Style Guide from the National Center on Disability and Journalism.
| What to Say | What to Avoid |
|---|---|
| accessible parking or accommodations | handicap accessible |
| children with disabilities | special needs children |
| Deaf, hard of hearing (The uppercase “D” in “Deaf” is often used by people who culturally identify as Deaf and share a common language, American Sign Language.) | dumb |
| non-disabled person, person without a disability | able-bodied, normal, whole |
| non-verbal or person who communicates non-verbally | mute |
| Person with autism, Autistic person (Similar to the use of Deaf, some people prefer identity-first language and capitalization of Autistic.) | |
| person who had a stroke | stroke victim, suffered from a stroke |
| person with a congenital or developmental disability | deformed, person with a birth defect |
| person with epilepsy or a seizure disorder | spastic, person who has “fits” |
| person with an intellectual disability | slow, mentally retarded, dim-witted |
| person with a learning disability | slow learner, retarded, stupid |
| person with a physical disability | crippled, handicapped, deformed, lame |
| person with a psychiatric or psychosocial disability or with a mental health diagnosis | crazy, maniac, lunatic, moron, mad, demented, schizo, psycho, feeble-minded |
| person of short stature, little person, dwarf | midget |
| person with a spinal cord injury, quadriplegic, paraplegic | incapacitated |
| wheelchair-user | wheelchair-bound, confined to a wheelchair |
Sample Language on Disability for Style Guides
The following is suggested text about disability-affirming language that can be used in an organization’s style guide:
We use language that affirms disability rights and justice, recognizing that the disability community has varied preferences on terminology.” When writing about disability more broadly, demonstrate respect by alternating between person first language (e.g. “person with a disability”) and identity first language (e.g. “disabled person), as both are deeply rooted in the historical evolution of disability culture. When writing about an individual, it is important to ask for their language preferences whenever possible and adhere to them. Avoid using euphemistic language to refer to disability, such as “special needs” or “differently abled,” unless adhering to the preference of a specific person.