People with disabilities are individual experts in the language and words they use to refer to themselves. That’s why it’s important to ask individuals with disabilities what language they like to use.
Unsure how to ask? Try these prompts:
- How do you like to refer to your disability?
- What language should I use to talk about your disability?
- Do you use people-first or identity-first language?
Not all people with disabilities like to discuss their disability with others, and what someone is willing to share may change over time. If you are referring to a larger group of people make sure you understand what will work best for the group. The same goes for individuals. There is no one-size fits all when it comes to language and it boils down to having respect. Language choices may change, too! Always listen to people with disabilities to ensure you’re continuing to have respectful, meaningful conversations.
Some of the most common frameworks for talking about disability include person-first and identity-first language, both of which are equally valid, but individual people may prefer one over the other.
People-first language prioritizes the person by saying: person with a disability or people with disabilities.
Identity-first language positions the disability as central to one’s identity: disabled person or disabled people.
Disability-related language has changed over time, and it’s still changing today as scholars, activists, and people with disabilities inform others on how they would like to be identified.
Say:
- He has a cognitive disability
- She autistic or has autism
- They have Down syndrome
- He is non-speaking
- She is a quadriplegic
- He’s a little person/of short stature
- They have a mental health condition/mental illness
- He uses a wheelchair
- She receives accommodations in school
- They have a developmental delay/developmental disability
- Children without disabilities/non-disabled kids
- They are D/deaf
- She has a limb difference
- Has a congenital disability/limb difference/born without a limb
- Brain injury
- She needs… she uses …
- Offer a list of words that people should say to replace harmful idioms. For example, instead of “crazy” say “silly”
- Don’t use words related to disability as slang (e.g. people saying “over-stimulated” when they don’t really mean it in its original context)
This is not a comprehensive list. It is intended to guide you toward making more inclusive, empowering language choices. These terms may not work for everyone, so please remember to ask people with disabilities what language they use. That said, disabled people are not there just to educate others, so understand that individual people may not always have the capacity, interest or desire to answer your questions about language use.
