Respectful Language and Terminology to use While Referring to Persons with Disabilities
In this section, we cover respectful terms to use to enable you to effectively and professionally talk with persons with disabilities without offending them, also showing respect and preserving their dignity. You will also be introduced to negative and positive terminologies aimed at shaping your interaction with persons with disabilities.
DISCLAIMER: The terminology on this platform has been derived from the UNCRPD, local disability experts, and the personal preferences of people interviewed. It may be differ from what is commonly used or seen in other contexts, as the languages we speak shape our perceptions of self and the way we define our experiences.
How to refer someone with a disability
Avoid using
- Handicapped person
- Someone "stricken with“/ suffering from a disability
- Invalid
- PWD
- The impaired
Instead use:
- Person with a disability
- Person with an impairment
Note that it is unnecessary to use softened, indirect language such as “differently abled”, “uniquely abled”, “people with different abilities”, etc.
How to refer someone with a physical impairment
Avoid using
- Handicapped
- Physically challenged
- Deformed
- "Special"
- Cripple
- Wheel chair-bound
- Gimp
- Spastic / spaz
- Lame
Instead use:
- Person with a physical impairment
- Person with a mobility impairment
- Wheel chair user
How to refer to someone with a visual impairment
Avoid using
- Invalid
- Blind woman/man/girl/boy
Instead use:
- Person with a visual impairment
- Person who is blind / visually impaired
- Blind / visually impaired
This ‘person-first’ language has received wide acceptance among persons with disabilities and their representative organisations.
There are also many local derogatory names used in communities and at schools to refer to people with visual impairments. Such names affect their self-esteem and personal motivation and should be avoided.
How to refer to someone with a hearing impairment
Avoid using
- Invalid
- Deaf and dumb
- Deaf - mute
Instead use:
- Person with a hearing impairment
- Deaf or hard of hearing
- Person who is deaf or hard of hearing
In some countries they prefer to be called “sign language users” – however, this is problematic in that not all sign language users are persons with hearing impairment.
There are also many local derogatory names used in communities and at schools to refer to people with hearing impairments. Such names affect their self-esteem and personal motivation and should be avoided.
How to refer someone with a speech/communication impairment
Avoid using
- Dumb
- “one who talks bad/weird"
Instead use:
- Person with a speech / communication impairment
Speech impairments are often confused with, or lumped with hearing impairments. However, this is not (always) accurate. Hearing impairment may affect speech, especially if it begins before a child acquires language. One may have or develop a speech/communication impairment without having a hearing impairment.
How to refer to someone with a learning impairment
Avoid using
- Retarded, retard
- brain damaged
- "Special ed"
- Slow
Instead use:
- Person with a learning impairment
- Learning impairment
- Learning disability*
- Person with a learning or cognitive impairment
- Person with _______(name of specific learning disability e.g. dyslexia)
It is important to note that all of these terms do not apply to all people with learning impairments. Learning impairments are very diverse and the more specific you can be the better. *Note that even the term learning impairment is contested by some individuals and in some contexts (in favor of learning disability), alluding to the fact that the disability is caused not by their inability to learn but by unfavorable teaching methods that limit their uptake or create barriers to their learning.
How to refer someone with a psychosocial impairment
Avoid using
- Hyper-sensitive
- Nuts
- Crazy
- Psycho
- Insane
- Wacko
- Describing behaviour as overreacting or overly emotional
Instead use:
- Person with a psychosocial impairment
- Psychosocial impairment
- Mental impairment
- Person living with _______(name of specific psychosocial impairment e.g. ADHD)
With invisible disabilities, it is important to remember not to disclose the status of an individual person unless they give you enthusiastic consent to do so. These types of disabilities are highly stigmatised, and disclosing a person’s mental health challenges can cause significant problems.
How to refer someone with a Epilepsy
Avoid using
- Epileptic
Instead use:
- Person with epilepsy
How to refer someone with a Chronic Health Condition e.g. AIDS, Cancer, Sickle Cell Anemia
Avoid using
- Victim
- "someone stricken with cancer" or "an AIDS victim"
Instead use:
- Someone "living with" a specific condition (i.e., "someone living with cancer/ sickle cell anemia/ AIDS")
