[Martinod]

Consider these guidelines when communicating with or about disabled people.

1. Language guidelines
Not everyone will agree on everything but there is general agreement on some basic guidelines.

1.1 Collective terms and labels
The word ‘disabled’ is a description not a group of people. Use ‘disabled people’ not ‘the disabled’ as the collective term.

However, many deaf people whose first language is BSL consider themselves part of ‘the deaf community’ – they may describe themselves as ‘Deaf’, with a capital D, to emphasise their deaf identity.

Avoid medical labels. They say little about people as individuals and tend to reinforce stereotypes of disabled people as ‘patients’ or unwell.

Don’t automatically refer to ‘disabled people’ in all communications – many people who need disability benefits and services don’t identify with this term. Consider using ‘people with health conditions or impairments’ if it seems more appropriate.

1.2 Positive not negative
Avoid phrases like ‘suffers from’ which suggest discomfort, constant pain and a sense of hopelessness.

Wheelchair users may not view themselves as ‘confined to’ a wheelchair – try thinking of it as a mobility aid instead.

1.3 Everyday phrases
Most disabled people are comfortable with the words used to describe daily living. People who use wheelchairs ‘go for walks’ and people with visual impairments may be very pleased – or not – ‘to see you’. An impairment may just mean that some things are done in a different way.

Common phrases that may associate impairments with negative things should be avoided, for example ‘deaf to our pleas’ or ‘blind drunk’.

2. Words to use and avoid
Avoid passive, victim words. Use language that respects disabled people as active individuals with control over their own lives.

Avoid
Use
(the) handicapped, (the) disabled
disabled (people)
afflicted by, suffers from, victim of
has [name of condition or impairment]
confined to a wheelchair, wheelchair-bound
wheelchair user
mentally handicapped, mentally defective, retarded, subnormal
with a learning disability (singular) with learning disabilities (plural)
cripple, invalid
disabled person
spastic
person with cerebral palsy
able-bodied
non-disabled
mental patient, insane, mad
person with a mental health condition
deaf and dumb; deaf mute
deaf, user of British Sign Language (BSL), person with a hearing impairment
the blind
people with visual impairments; blind people; blind and partially sighted people
an epileptic, diabetic, depressive, and so on
person with epilepsy, diabetes, depression or someone who has epilepsy, diabetes, depression
dwarf; midget
someone with restricted growth or short stature
fits, spells, attacks
seizures
3. Some tips on behaviour
use a normal tone of voice, don’t patronise or talk down
don’t be too precious or too politically correct – being super-sensitive to the right and wrong language and depictions will stop you doing anything
never attempt to speak or finish a sentence for the person you are talking to
address disabled people in the same way as you talk to everyone else
speak directly to a disabled person, even if they have an interpreter or companion with them

Topic

[Martinod]

This made interesting reading what’s your thoughts,

[ajn]

Interesting reading or simply worrying, after reading that the contact with the above mentioned could go something like..

Hello (full on wave)

immediately followed by

Goodbye (fast half wave)

phew safe as..

sad really… maybe

 

[Tharg]

Some years ago my wife and I were visiting a hotel which catered specially for people with guide dogs; was writing a feature article for other hotel owners about what you need to do for these folks. Not wishing to upset or offended anyone, checked the correct, accepted language to use – “visually impaired” not ever “blind”. At breakfast on first morning, a very elegant, charming lady (with equally charming dog) leaned over to us and said, “I say, you’re not blind are you?”

[ajn]

Fact here martinod, some will always be be offended.

The instructions seem to in an ideal world, in which we don’t live and probably never will.

Its the easiest thing in the world  to suddenly decide to be offended.

 

[Author]

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