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Using the Correct Terminology
Negative
and patronizing language produces negative and patronizing
images. Words are important, so make sure your words
do not offend or reinforce negative stereotypes.
Contents
Language can be used to shape ideas, perceptions and
attitudes. Words in popular use mirror prevailing attitudes in society. Those attitudes
are often the most difficult barriers that persons with disabilities face. Positive
attitudes can be shaped through careful presentation of information about people with
disabilities.
Below are some guidelines:
- Describe the person, not the disability
- Refer to an individual's disability only when it is relevant
- Avoid images designed to evoke pity or guilt
Examples of
negative and positive use of words and expressions
| Instead of ... |
Use ... |
The disabled,
The handicapped,
The crippled, cripple or invalid |
Persons or people with disabilities; disabled persons or people |
| Normal (when used as the opposite
of disabled) |
Non-disabled person
(When the word "normal" is used as the opposite of "disabled" it
implies that someone with a disability is abnormal) |
| Crippled by, afflicted with,
suffering from, victim of, deformed |
Person who has, or person with ...
(name of disability) |
| Defective, maimed |
Impaired, injured |
| Paralytic or arthritic |
Person who is paralysed or has
arthritis |
| Lame |
Person who is mobility-impaired or
person with a mobility impairment |
| Birth defect |
Disabled since birth or born with
... (name of disability) |
| Confined, bound, restricted to or
dependent on a wheelchair |
Wheelchair user or person who uses
a wheelchair |
| Handicapped accessible |
Accessible by people with
disabilities, fully accessible |
| Deaf and dumb, deaf mute |
Deaf person, person who is hard of
hearing, hearing-impaired person or person with a speech impairment |
| The retarded, mentally retarded,
mentally subnormal or Mongoloid |
Person with an intellectual
disability, person with a developmental disability, person with a learning disability |
| Idiot, vegetable |
Person with extensive brain injury |
| Spastic (noun) |
Person with cerebral palsy |
| Epileptic, Fits |
Person who has epilepsy or
seizures |
| Mental patient, the mentally ill,
mental, insane, mad, deranged or deviant |
Person with mental illness
(specify illness if known, e.g., schizophrenia or depression) |
| Crazy, emotionally disturbed |
Person who has a emotional
disability or person who has a mental illness |
| The blind or the visually impaired
(as a collective noun) |
Persons who are visually impaired
or blind, persons with visual impairment, or blind persons |
| Elephant man's disease |
Person who has Neurofibromatosis |
| Gimp |
Person with an amputated ... (name
of limb that is amputated) |
| Hare Lip |
Person with a cleft palate |
| Hunchbacked |
Person with a spinal curvature |
| Midget, dwarf |
Person with a short stature or
short-statured person |
Some more guidelines to bear
in mind when talking about people with disabilities
Meeting with persons with disabilities
- Speak directly to the person who has a disability, not
through any companion who may be present
- If you offer help, wait until the offer is accepted, then
listen to or ask for instructions. Don't be offended if the offer of assistance is turned
down!
- Consider the needs of people with disabilities when planning
meetings or events
Meeting with people who have a
hearing or speaking impairment
- Do not begin a conversation with a hearing-impaired person
until he/she has noticed you and is prepared for it
- If a sign language or speech interpreter is present, speak
to the person you are meeting rather than to the interpreter
- When you are speaking to a hearing-impaired person, do not
shout or exaggerate your lip movements. Speak slowly and clearly and do not cover your
mouth
- If the person you are speaking to is lip-reading, make sure
you are facing the light. Look directly at the person and speak at your normal volume
- Give your whole attention to a person with a speech
impairment. Do not correct or speak for the person. Wait quietly while the person talks,
and resist the temptation to finish sentences
- Where possible ask questions that require short answers
- Do not pretend to understand if you do not. Repeat what you
understood, and ask again
Meeting with people who have a
mobility impairment
- When talking for longer than a few minutes to a person using
a wheelchair place yourself at that persons eye level so that he or she will not get a
stiff neck from looking up for a prolonged period
- Never lean against or decide to push a person's wheelchair.
Always ask whether assistance is required or not
- Never pat someone using a wheelchair on the head!
- When arranging to meet a person who uses a wheelchair,
always give the person prior notice so that time is allowed for the arrangement of
transportation
- When deciding where to meet make sure that there is a ramped
or step-free entrance, a lift (if necessary) and, of course, accessible toilet facilities
Meeting with people who have a
visual impairment
- Identify yourself clearly, and introduce anyone else who is
present. Try to indicate where they are placed in the room
- When offering a handshake, say something like "shall we
shake hands?"
- When help is needed in an unfamiliar place, say "Let me
offer you an arm". This will enable you to guide rather than propel or lead the
person
- When you come to a step, say whether it's a step up or a
step down
- When offering a seat, place the person's hand on the back or
arm of the chair
- When talking in a group which includes people with visual
impairments remember to say the name of the person to whom you are speaking
- Do not leave someone talking to an empty space. Tell that
person when you wish to end a conversation or to move away
Source: National
Rehabilitation Board, Ireland; Challenging Images: resource pack for schools and
Disability Speak: A guide to Appropriate language around disability
Meeting with sighted people
What to do when you meet
sighted person
People who use their eyes to receive information about the
world are called sighted people or "people who are sighted." Legal
"sight" means any visual acuity greater than 20/200 in the better eye without
correction or an angle of vision wider than 20 degrees. Sighted people enjoy rich full
lives, working, playing and raising families. They run businesses, hold public office and
teach your children!
How do sighted people get
around?!
People who are sighted may walk or ride public transportation, but most choose to travel
long distances by operating their own motor vehicles. They have gone through many hours of
training to learn the "rules of the road" in order to further their
independence. Once that road to freedom has been mastered, sighted people earn a legal
classification and a "Driver's License" which allows them to operate a private
vehicle safely and independently.
How to assist a sighted
person:
Sighted people are accustomed to viewing the world in visual terms. This means that in
many situations, they will not be able to communicate orally and may resort to pointing or
other gesturing. Subtle facial expressions may also be used to convey feelings in social
situations. Calmly alert the sighted person to his surroundings by speaking slowly, in a
normal tone of voice. Questions directed at the sighted person help focus attention back
on the verbal rather than visual communication.
At times, sighted people may need help finding things,
especially when operating a motor vehicle. Your advance knowledge of routes and landmarks,
particularly bumps in the road, turns and traffic lights, will assist the
"driver" in finding the way quickly and easily. Your knowledge of building
layouts can also assist the sighted person in navigating complex shopping malls and
offices. Sighted people tend to be very proud and will not ask directly for assistance. Be
gentle yet firm.
How
do sighted people use computers?!
The person who is sighted relies exclusively on visual
information. His or her attention span fades quickly
when reading long texts. Computer information is presented
in a "Graphical User Interface" or GUI.
Coordination of hands and eyes is often a problem
for sighted people, so the computer mouse, a handy
device that slides along the desk top, saves confusing
keystrokes. With one button, the sighted person can
move around his or her computer screen quickly and
easily. People who are sighted are not accustomed
to synthetic speech and may have great difficulty
understanding even the clearest synthesizer. Be patient
and prepared to explain many times how your computer
equipment works.
How
do sighted people read?!
Sighted people read through a system called "Print." this is a series of images
drawn in a two dimensional plain. People who are sighted generally have a poorly developed
sense of touch. Braille is completely foreign to the sighted person and he or she will
take longer to learn the code and be severely limited by his or her existing visual
senses. Sighted people cannot function well in low lighting conditions and are generally
completely helpless in total darkness. their homes are usually very brightly lit at great
expense, as are businesses that cater to the sighted consumer.
How
can I support a sighted person?!
People who are sighted do not want your charity. They want to live, work and play along
with you. The best thing you can do to support sighted people in your community is to open
yourself to their world. These citizens are vital contributing members to society. Take a
sighted person to lunch today!
Source: unknown
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