Disability Etiquette

Disability Etiquette - Words Matter!

Who are the so-called “handicapped”?

Society’s myths tell us they are:

  • “People who suffer from the tragedy of birth defects”
  • “Paraplegic heroes who struggle to become normal again”
  • “Victims who fight to overcome their conditions”
  • “The so-called disabled, retarded, autistic, blind, deaf, learning disabled, and more”

Who are they, really?

They are:

  • Moms and dads
  • Sons and daughters
  • Employees and employers
  • Friends and neighbors
  • Leaders and followers
  • Students and teachers

   They are people!    They are people, first.

Using People First Language is a crucial issue.

People First Language puts the person before the disability!  The Disability Rights Movement is following in the footsteps of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and the Women’s Movement of the 1970s.  While people with disabilities and advocates work to end discrimination and segregation in education, employment, and our communities at large, we must all work to eliminate the prejudicial language that creates an invisible barrier to inclusion in the mainstream of our society.

Examples of People First Language:

SAY:

INSTEAD OF:
People with disabilities  Handicapped or disabled 
He has a cognitive or intellectual disability  He is mentally retarded 
She has autism She is autistic
He has Down  Syndrome  He is Downs or Mongoloid 
She has a learning disability  She is learning disabled 
He has a physical disability He is a quadriplegic or crippled 
She is of short stature or she is a little person She is a dwarf  (or midget)
He has an emotional disability  He is emotionally disturbed 
She uses a wheelchair She is confined to a wheelchair
He receives Special Education services He is Special Ed
Typical kids or kids without disabilities Normal or healthy kids 
Accessible parking Handicapped parking
Accessible restroom  Handicapped restroom
ADA accessible hotel room Handicapped hotel room

 

Unique to the disability community is that it is the only minority group that any American can join in the split second of an accident.

If it happens to you, will you have more in common with others with disabilities or with your family, friends, and co-workers?  Many people who do not  have a disability now may have one in the future.  Others will have family members or friends who acquire a disability.  If you acquire a disability in your lifetime, how will you want to be described?  How will you want to be treated?  Disability issues are issues that affect all Americans!

“Disability is a natural part of the human experience…”

  *Excerpts from Kathie Snow’s “People First Language: A Commentary”