Language and Labels
Disabled people choose how to refer to themselves based on personal experiences.
handicapped = outdated term
Person first language: “person with…”
disability 1 aspect of identity
- commonly used with intellectual/ developmental disabilities
- People-first Movement: emphasized humanity of people with disabilities
- default form of reference
Identity first language: “_ person”
- disability= core of identity, connect to a community/culture/history
- common with Autistic, deaf, blind communities: shows that disability doesn’t detract from identity
People will correct you if you say something wrong.
Ask people their preferred terminology.
Don’t ever refer to someone by their mobility equipment!
Don’t say “bound” or “confined” to a wheelchair
Common Disability Euphemisms
- Differently abled-
- Handi-capable
- Mentally/ Physically Challenged- don’t use
- Special needs
- Twice exceptional
Functioning labels: use standard of abilities to divide disabled population
Common ableist terms:
crazy/insane
dumb / idiot / imbecile / lame / moron / slow / stupid
retarded: don’t use
midget: don’t use
cripple: don’t use
gimp: don’t use
spaz: don’t use
nonverbal / don’t talk / are dumb: ambiguous, doesn’t tell us how someone communicates
Disability- does not have universal naming/ identifying convention
Person First language: used by US Medical model
Identity First language: Used in UK who follows the social model