Services for Students with Disabilities: Disability Language
Language plays a key role in creating and maintaining attitudinal barriers that are harmful to persons with disabilities. There are specific words used to describe individuals with disabilities (cripple, moron, Mongoloid, junkie, victim, etc.) that have extremely negative connotations and are very stigmatizing. Such language has a devaluing or dehumanizing effect because it focuses on the disability rather than the person with the disability. The words and phrases that are preferred show respect for the dignity of people with disabilities.
The following is a list of outdated and preferred language to use when referring to persons with disabilities:
|
Outdated/Inaccurate Term |
Preferred Term |
|
The disabled or handicapped |
Person with a disability |
|
Mongoloid |
Person with Downs Syndrome |
|
Blind, deaf, retard |
Person with a visual impairment, hearing disability, or person with mental retardation |
|
Patient, case |
Client, individual, consumer |
|
Confined to a wheelchair |
Person who uses a wheelchair |
|
Deaf and dumb, deaf-mute |
Person with a hearing and/or speech impairment |
|
CP, spastic |
Person with cerebral palsy |
|
Epileptic fit |
Seizure |
|
Crazy, insane |
Psychologically/emotionally disabled |
"In general, try to mention the person first, and then, if necessary, the disability. Think about your language an how it impacts the person to whom you are referring. Does it suggest a victim or an object of sympathy? Does it focus on a person's disability? If either is true, you need to revise your language choice" (Disabling Myths, Altman, et.al.).
The above information is adapted from Guide to Reasonable Accommodations (Third Edition) by the Student Disability Resources Center, Division of Student Affairs, Florida State University.
