Guidelines for Talking about Disability 1. Do not refer to a persons disability unless it is relevant. 2. Use disability rather than handicap to refer to a persons 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 3. When referring to a persons 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. 4. 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. 5. Avoid negative or sensational descriptions of a persons disability. Dont say suffers from, a victim of, or afflicted with. Dont 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. 6. Dont 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. 7. Dont use normal to describe people who dont have disabilities. It is better to say people without disabilities or typical, if necessary to make comparisons. 8. 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. 9. 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.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 17:47:34 +0000