WHAT ARE THE RIGHT WORDS TO USE ?

UNACCEPTABLE

ACCEPTABLE

THE DISABLED

This makes us sound like an object, and as if we are all identical.

DISABLED PEOPLE

This is acceptable because one can understand from it that we are disabled by society.

CRIPPLE

This rather innocent term has become stigmatised by its association with either rather evil people, or pathetic victims.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Some people prefer this because it emphasises that, first and foremost, we are human beings and should be treated as such.

HANDICAPPED

This has doubtful origins, but certainly became attached to the stigma of people who can only live off charity.

PHYSICAL/SENSORY IMPAIRMENT

This is used to refer to a condition, rather than the above which are about the social context.

INVALID

Look at it...in-valid! It has actually been misread occasionally, so that ‘invalid wife’ was taken to mean the woman was not properly married! The term invalidates our lives!

PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

A phrase that can be used for any disabled person.

UNFORTUNATES / HELPLESS INCAPACITATED / VICTIMS

Avoid all such negative descriptions.

SERVICE USER

A phrase that can be used for any disabled person who uses a voluntary or statutory service, rather than ‘client’.

THE WHEELCHAIR

Used as a reference to a person, for example: "We don’t allow wheelchairs into this cafe." Here the person has become the equipment (Possible response could be, "It’s me who’s hungry, not my wheelchair!").

WHEELCHAIR-USER

These are accurate descriptions, not value judgments.

WHEELCHAIR-BOUND

How many people do you know who are tied up to their wheelchairs? Although a very few people do have to have restraints to stop them falling out, their wheelchair is still their means to freedom (to move about) rather than a prison.

PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR

A more factual term.

CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR

Conjures up the idea of being imprisoned in the wheelchair.

ESSENTIAL WHEELCHAIR-USER

A small proportion of wheelchair-users cannot transfer onto other seating.

SUFFERER / AFFLICTED / ILLNESS

We have no right to assume that anyone is suffering unless they tell us so. Anyway, it has such a negative impact it stops us from remembering that people with any condition whatsoever are capable of enjoying themselves.

DISABLING CONDITION

This is an accurate description, not a value judgment.

BAD BACK / EYE / ARM ETC.

Bad implies a value judgment, as does the question "What’s wrong with your leg?" There is always a more factual alternative, e.g. painful back, weak leg.

A PAINFUL BACK / DAMAGED EYE / PARALYSED ARM ETC.

These are accurate descriptions, not value judgments.

DWARF

This word is unacceptable since it is associated with the foolish characteristics depicted in literature and circuses.

PEOPLE OF SHORT STATURE OR RESTRICTED GROWTH

This is a more factual description.

SPASTIC

This has become a particularly nasty term of abuse, meant to imply that someone is stupid, even though its origins were simply a direct referral to the spasm of the muscles experienced by some people with cerebral palsy. CP'S/SPAS: these abbreviations are equally unacceptable.

PERSON WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

CEREBRAL PALSY

CP

This is the phrase now used instead of ‘Spastic’.

HUNCHBACK

This work has become so thoroughly associated with evil characters that it is totally unacceptable.

SPINAL CURVATURE

This is preferred to ‘Hunchback’.

DEAF AND DUMB

Deaf people are neither dumb in the sense of being stupid, nor in the sense of being mute. If they don’t talk it is because they were born without hearing and have never been able to hear and therefore mimic voices.

DEAF

People with a high degree of deafness usually like to be called deaf. They feel there is no stigma attached to it and they are proud to be who they are.

HEARING IMPAIRED

However, there is not total agreement on this one because some people, particularly in the deaf community, regard the word ‘impaired’ as negative.

HEARING IMPAIRED

Some people, particularly those who are not completely deaf, prefer this phrase.

 DEAF AS A POST

This associates people with an object.

HARD OF HEARING

This is acceptable, particularly to older people with hearing loss.

 BLIND AS A BAT

This associates people with an animal!

BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED

These are acceptable terms. Don’t forget that many blind people, though registered blind, do have some limited sight.

DISABLED TOILET

Would you like to sit on a disabled toilet?   Chances are it isn’t fully functional!

AN ACCESSIBLE TOILET OR TOILET FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

This is the proper description for a toilet specifically built / adapted for use by disabled people.