Addressing Disabilities with Responsible Language

Language is dynamic, and social norms are always changing. It’s critical in communication to be respectful, which means adapting language to respect all audiences. July is Disability Pride Month and an opportunity to consider how we can be mindful of using responsible and respectful language in our marketing when addressing disabilities.

The Power of Words

The power of words is well-documented, and understanding more inclusive ways to describe people living with disabilities is crucial to communicating with one of the largest groups of people on the planet. One in every 10 people lives with a disability.

There is no one way to speak to the community, but there are ways to help ensure you’re using respectful language regarding the disabled community.

• Be Mindful of Diversity. Difference is normal. Disability looks different for everyone, and people can have different experiences and feelings surrounding similar disabilities. Ask people living with a disability how they would prefer it addressed.
• Avoid Outdated or Condescending Euphemisms. Terms like “challenged” or “differently abled” are considered condescending. Similarly, don’t refer to people not living with disability as “normal.” Instead, they can be referred to as “people without visible disability,” which also means that often we can’t tell if someone is living with a disability at a glance.
• Put People First. Referring to groups as “people living with disability” or other people-first language is seen by many as a way to put the person before the disability. Others living with a disability may feel different. It’s important to remember that not everyone prefers the same language, and asking someone what they prefer is best.
•  Don’t Sensationalize. Don’t call attention to the disability someone lives with unless it’s relevant. People living with disabilities are living their lives the same as everyone else. Don’t presume anyone living with a disability wants to be an “inspiration,” and don’t give the impression that achievements are unexpected, as most people living with a disability have the same range of abilities as everyone else.

What is Responsible Language?

Language is changing every day, and it shapes attitudes and perceptions across society. People living with disabilities still face inequities in employment, education, housing, and health care, thanks to a long history of stigmas around the disabled community. 

The first disability rights movement formed more than 50 years ago, and in recent years there’s been a shift to using language that the community itself advocates for. That means taking steps to ensure you’re using responsible language when discussing groups like the disabled community, and the effects can be far-reaching. 

It’s also important to understand the evolving terminology in the field. 

Here are examples of simple language changes that can go a long way:

• Use “accessible” instead of “disabled.”
• Use the term disability, and not outdated terms like “differently abled,” “crippled,” or “special needs.”
• Refer to other people as “people without disability” instead of “normal” or “healthy.”
• Use “person with a mobility disability” instead of “lame” to describe physical disabilities.
• Refer to people as “living with” a specific disability instead of language like “fallen victim to” a specific disability or illness. For instance, use the phrase “living with a brain injury” instead of “brain-damaged.”
• Do not use “dumb” or “mute.” Instead, refer to people as living with a physical disability. 

People-First Language and Identity-First Language

People with disabilities are not a monolith. Everyone has their own preferences about how they relate to and speak of the disabilities they live with. One of the most important ways this manifests itself in conversations within the community is in how to refer to their disability.

Person-First Language

The person-first approach always puts the person before the disability. It was first developed decades ago and is preferred by many because it prioritizes the individual. For instance, the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990 is written in person-first language.

Non-disabled people are most familiar with person-first language, making it a good choice if you don’t have more specific guidelines. You can use person-first language by using phrases like “person who is living with deafness” instead of “deaf person.” This approach helps many people feel seen and defined by more than their disability.

Identity-First Language

In recent years, more disabled people have come to reclaim the use of identity-first language. Some prefer this phrasing because their disability impacts their entire life, and they feel the language reflects that.

For instance, those who prefer identity-first language would use “a deaf woman” instead of “a woman living with a hearing disability” or “someone who is autistic” instead of “someone living with autism.”

Listening and Learning

When in doubt, ask.

Language will always be a moving target, and different segments of the disabled community feel uniquely about which phrasing they prefer. It’s OK to ask individuals what phrasing they prefer. Preferences vary among groups, and what might be appropriate when speaking of one group of people living with disabilities may not be correct in a different part of the community.

Nothing can replace simply listening to those living with a disability. Different is normal, meaning the best way to connect with people with disabilities is to listen to their self-advocacy. From the creation of the first disability rights groups more than 50 years ago, the community has spoken about their lived experiences, and it’s our responsibility to listen.

There are many myths regarding the disabled community, and stereotypes can be sticky. The best way to push back against these common myths is to center the person living with a disability. Use their preferred language regarding their disability, and frame their story through their perspective, not the non-disabled living around them. This works to center the person living with a disability first and frame their lived experience through their own eyes.

Some ways you can do this:

• Emphasize Abilities, Not Limitations. Focus on the abilities and accomplishments of people living with disability, not the things they are unable to do.
• Do Not Use Language that Suggests the Lack of Something. Disabled people lead full lives like everyone else. They are not lacking, nor are they victims of their circumstances.
• Emphasize Accessibility, Not Disability. The focus should not be on disability but rather on the accessibility necessary for people living with a disability. For example, you can write “person who uses a wheelchair” instead of “confined to a wheelchair.”
• Interact Directly. Always speak directly with the person living with a disability instead of any accommodations they might have, like an interpreter. Don’t make assumptions about wording based on what you think they’d want or what others in similar situations have told you in the past.

Avoiding Stereotypes and Generalizations

Facing stereotypes and overgeneralizations is a challenge that the disabled community faces daily. Embracing the unique qualities of every person and tailoring language to their circumstances should always be paramount as we seek to address disability with responsible language.

Generalizations can come across as condescending, even well-meaning. Terms like “handi-capable,” “challenged,” and “differently abled” serve to lump diverse groups of people living with disability together and pull the focus from the person living with disability.

Instead, initiate open conversations that provide insight into the obstacles faced by someone living with disability, creating an environment of acceptance, and putting the focus on their capabilities rather than disabilities. If you’re writing about or addressing a particular segment of the community, check and see if a community or organization has suggested unified language or whether a style guide is available.

All this plays into the reminder that Disability Pride Month brings us: language around the diverse parts of the community living with disability changes regularly, and using responsible language means regularly incorporating feedback from that community. Language can bridge gaps and forge connections when used to promote acceptance, and over time helps shape the experiences of many in the disability community.

That is why it is crucially important to elevate the stories of those within the community and to do so in a way that emphasizes respect for the person living with disabilities. When someone living with a disability sees their circumstances described in the same language they use, it can empower them to share their experiences and foster acceptance and inclusion. With Disability Pride Month serving as the backdrop, it is a terrific opportunity to ensure that your language and ongoing policies around language use remain inclusive of all.

Let Content Journey Help

At Content Journey, we know that word choice matters. We can handle all of your content marketing needs and ensure that the language is always inclusive and responsible. Want to learn more about our approach? Book a call.