Disability Writing: Language to Avoid

Language to Avoid in Disability Writing

• Avoid using stigmatizing language when writing or speaking about disability
• Phrases like "wheelchair-bound" and "confined to a wheelchair" are harmful and should be replaced with "wheelchair user"
• Terms like "handicapped", "differently abled", "lame", and "physically challenged" are also harmful and should be avoided
• Using words like "crip", "cripple", or "gimp" can be harmful unless used by someone who self-identifies as such
• Avoid making jokes about speed limits or racing when referring to people with mobility disabilities

Language to Use in Disability Writing

• Use "disabled" or "people with disabilities" (PWDs) to refer to individuals with disabilities
• Use "person with a [specific] disability" to refer to individuals with specific disabilities
• Use "person with a developmental disability" or "person with an intellectual disability" to refer to individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities
• Use "person with Down syndrome" to refer to individuals with Down syndrome
• Use "psychiatric disability" or "person with [specific diagnosis/disability]" to refer to individuals with mental health disabilities
• Use "autistic" or "person with autism" to refer to individuals with autism
• Use "neurodivergent" to refer to individuals with neurodiverse conditions
• Use "deaf" or "hard of hearing" to refer to individuals with hearing impairments

Avoidable Language in Disability Writing

• Avoid using terms like "retarded", "feeble-minded", "slow", "delayed", or "mentally deficient" to refer to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "psychotic", "mad", "crazy", or "demented" to refer to individuals with mental health disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "midget" or "dwarf" to refer to individuals with little personism
• Avoid using terms like "patient" or "vegetable" to refer to individuals with disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "nuthouse" or "loony bin" to refer to institutions or facilities
• Avoid using terms like "normal", "whole", or "able-bodied" to refer to individuals without disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "deaf-and-dumb" or "hearing impaired" to refer to individuals with hearing impairments
• Avoid using terms like "mute" to refer to individuals who do not communicate verbally
• Avoid using terms like "high functioning" or "low functioning" to refer to individuals with autism
• Avoid using terms like "visually impaired" to refer to individuals with visual impairments
• Avoid using terms like "special needs" to refer to individuals with disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "handicapped accessible" to refer to wheelchair-accessible spaces
• Avoid using terms like "freak" unless self-identifying as such
• Avoid using terms like "epileptic fit" to refer to seizures
• Avoid using terms like "sufferers" or "stricken with" to refer to individuals with disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "victim" unless referring to a victim of murder; instead, use "survivor"

Language to Avoid in Disability Writing

• Avoid using stigmatizing language when writing or speaking about disability
• Phrases like "wheelchair-bound" and "confined to a wheelchair" are harmful and should be replaced with "wheelchair user"
• Terms like "handicapped", "differently abled", "lame", and "physically challenged" are also harmful and should be avoided
• Using words like "crip", "cripple", or "gimp" can be harmful unless used by someone who self-identifies as such
• Avoid making jokes about speed limits or racing when referring to people with mobility disabilities

Language to Use in Disability Writing

• Use "disabled" or "people with disabilities" (PWDs) to refer to individuals with disabilities
• Use "person with a [specific] disability" to refer to individuals with specific disabilities
• Use "person with a developmental disability" or "person with an intellectual disability" to refer to individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities
• Use "person with Down syndrome" to refer to individuals with Down syndrome
• Use "psychiatric disability" or "person with [specific diagnosis/disability]" to refer to individuals with mental health disabilities
• Use "autistic" or "person with autism" to refer to individuals with autism
• Use "neurodivergent" to refer to individuals with neurodiverse conditions
• Use "deaf" or "hard of hearing" to refer to individuals with hearing impairments

Avoidable Language in Disability Writing

• Avoid using terms like "retarded", "feeble-minded", "slow", "delayed", or "mentally deficient" to refer to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "psychotic", "mad", "crazy", or "demented" to refer to individuals with mental health disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "midget" or "dwarf" to refer to individuals with little personism
• Avoid using terms like "patient" or "vegetable" to refer to individuals with disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "nuthouse" or "loony bin" to refer to institutions or facilities
• Avoid using terms like "normal", "whole", or "able-bodied" to refer to individuals without disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "deaf-and-dumb" or "hearing impaired" to refer to individuals with hearing impairments
• Avoid using terms like "mute" to refer to individuals who do not communicate verbally
• Avoid using terms like "high functioning" or "low functioning" to refer to individuals with autism
• Avoid using terms like "visually impaired" to refer to individuals with visual impairments
• Avoid using terms like "special needs" to refer to individuals with disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "handicapped accessible" to refer to wheelchair-accessible spaces
• Avoid using terms like "freak" unless self-identifying as such
• Avoid using terms like "epileptic fit" to refer to seizures
• Avoid using terms like "sufferers" or "stricken with" to refer to individuals with disabilities
• Avoid using terms like "victim" unless referring to a victim of murder; instead, use "survivor"