People with disabilities can be described in ways that aren’t the most…empowering. To put it lightly. In fact, the language around disability needs some serious maintenance. Words or terms can be rude or cause people to feel excluded or belittled.
When we speak about persons with disabilities, it’s important to focus on the person, rather than the disability. This is called person-centred language, which should always be used. And, as language is an ever-evolving thing, it’s important we consistently adapt our vernacular to accommodate and support everyone, in an inclusive and kind manner.
Words matter
You’ll probably remember that childhood mantra, sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. And you probably realised then that although it’s partly true, words cannot break bones, they can certainly cause some serious damage.
Historically, people with disabilities have been discriminated against with degrading and offensive language. Even when someone believes they are championing someone’s place in society, using words or phrases such as ‘hero,’ or, “I’m so proud of you!” Saying someone is inspirational, simply because they have an impairment is patronising. And, while we’re on the topic of respectful and inclusive language, referring to someone as a ‘victim’ isn’t going to make someone feel empowered. It’s belittling and paints a disability out to be something to be ashamed of.
Using words that include people and empower people, words and terms that focus on the person rather than what the person has been diagnosed with, will help to shift the social view, and ultimately, the language around disability.
Switching perspectives
Part of the reason the language around people with disabilities feels dated and lacking in humanity is because the traditional view of disability has been guided by a medical model. This means that disability has been approached as a health condition, as something to cure or treat.
It’s important, then, that we switch from a medical viewpoint to a social one. This is called the social model of disability and it’s about understanding how people with disabilities interact with people and their environment. We shift the perspective from focusing on individual impairments to the social environment that we operate in.
We’ll find there are barriers to how people with disability interact with the world such as digital barriers, physical barriers, and barriers of communication. Things which can hinder and prevent seamless participation in society. Thus the social model acknowledges the reality of living with a disability rather than the medical model which only sees impairments as a medical condition.
To be an advocate of the social model of disability, which will in turn, improve the language surrounding people living with disability, it’s important to focus on the barriers so that they can be improved, and ultimately, reduced.
If you’re interested in finding out more on the above, then the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations has a lot more information here.
New and improved vocabulary
Of course, to improve the language that surrounds disability and people with disabilities, a clear list of the do says and don’t says is helpful. PWDA (People With Disability Australia) have put together an easy-to-read guide.
Language guide
The full guide can be downloaded through this link here, however, for convenience within this article, we have included screenshots from PWDA’s guide.
Key takeaways
The language we use to speak to or about persons with disabilities holds a lot of power as it’s a structured system of communication, conveying meaning and a manner in which to interact with others. It evolves over time and there are phrases and words that were commonly used years ago which are no longer acceptable today, so it’s important for all of us to ensure we’re aware of the right way – the inclusive and kind way – to address others.
Raising awareness of the correct language to use is one way you can advocate for persons with disabilities, so do share this article with them and the language guide.
References:
https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/accessible-and-inclusive-content/inclusive-language/people-disability
https://pwd.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/PWDA-Language-Guide-v2-2021.pdf