Society
Language and Stereotypes
Many barriers for disabled people are created
by the negative assumptions and misconceptions
held by society. These barriers can be reinforced
by behavior and language which may not seem
important but which can perpetuate assumptions
and cause unnecessary offence to disabled
people.
Depending on how it is used language can reinforce
either positive or negative views of disability.
As language is constantly evolving this can
only be a guide to what is preferred.
Generally the preferred language always describes
disabled people in an active rather than a
passive role. For example ‘wheelchair
bound’ portrays a negative image of
the person, while ‘wheelchair user’
is an active term which shifts the emphasis
from the wheelchair to the person.
As with racial and ethnic epithets, the choice
of terms to apply to a person with a disability
is overlaid with stereotypes, patronizing
attitudes, and other emotional connotations.
Never identify people solely by their disability.
The correct terminology is based on the “Person
First” policy.
Do’s and Don'ts of Disability Terminology
|
Language
to avoid |
Preferred
Language |
Crippled |
Person
with a disability |
| the disabled |
disabled person/people |
| handicapped |
disabled person |
| special needs students |
disabled students |
| Cerebral palsied, spinal cord
injured |
People with cerebral palsy,
or spinal cord injuries |
| A victim of; afflicted with;
suffers from... |
person who had/person with
a spinal cord injury, polio, a stroke, etc. |
| the blind |
blind person/person with a
visual impairment |
| the deaf |
deaf person/person who is
hard of hearing |
| Defective, defect, deformed,
vegetable |
Person who has a disability,
has a condition of (spina bifida, etc.), or who
was born without legs |
| Deaf and Dumb |
Deafness, hearing impaired
or hard of hearing |
| Retarded, moron, imbecile,
idiot |
Person who has a mental or
developmental disability |
| Confined/restricted to a wheelchair;
wheelchair bound |
wheelchair user; Person who
uses a wheelchair, crutches, etc.; |
| spastic |
person with Cerebral Palsy |
| epileptic |
person with Epilepsy |
| Healthy or Normal, in contrast
with “disabled” |
Non-disabled, able to walk,
see, hear, etc. |
