Disability Language: Where To Start
I think so much of what prevents society and business from engaging with disabled people is down to a lack of confidence in the language. It could seem to an onlooker that the language surrounding disability is complicated and inflammatory. Therefore, rather than risk making a mistake and defending somebody, avoiding a conversation is easier.
When running disability awareness sessions, we often explore disability language in depth. As language is so fluid, especially language around disability, it changes so often. Because the disability movement is developing and disability advocates have a greater voice than in the past, we are speaking up about what inclusive language actually means and why it is important.
To compound the confusion, different countries use different terms to describe disability. For example, in the US, it is popular to say persons with disabilities. They also commonly use the term handicapped which in the UK is a big no-no and has been for several years. In other countries, they use terms such as differently abled.
Why Disability Language Matters
Whilst this may be an interesting read and an interesting discussion topic, it is still very important to understand the background to the language, terms and words we use when describing disability. When reading biographies, business books, books about diversity and even crime podcasts, I still come across terms describing disability that make me cringe. This comes from the unknown, not doing enough research and not having enough information to make an informed decision about the impact of the word.
I have written several articles on the impact of the language we choose to describe disability. Because essentially, the words we use to describe anything seep into our unconscious and inform our thoughts. And our thoughts inform our actions. Therefore, when we are in the workplace and serving our “handicapped” customer, we may unconsciously be thinking about that customer in a different way than we are thinking about our non-disabled customer. The word may make us believe that the customer is not that important or that the customer should be pitied.
Popular Terms
The history behind language helps us understand where it originated and why it is or is not appropriate to use in today’s world. We explore some of this language below. You may have some terms yourself that resonate with you. If so, please let me know what they are.
Handicapped
This term dates back to the reign of Henry VIII. During this time, disabled people, unable to earn a living to support themselves would beg on the street. This was done with a cap in hand.
Synonyms of handicapped: crippled, disadvantaged, blocked, burdened, deterred, restrained, obstructed
Spastic
Scotland founded the Scottish Society of the Care of Spastics in 1946. England’s Spastic Society was founded in 1951.
However, even earlier than this, the term “spastic” comes from the Latin term spasticus which translates as “afflicted with spasms”. The term is medical terminology which describes the symptoms of a person with cerebral palsy.
Synonyms of spastic: debilitated, paralysed, sick, atonic, diseased
Person with a Disability
The terminology “person with a disability” comes from the person-first theory. I have discussed this in another blog. The decision for a disabled person to identify themselves as a person with a disability or disabled person is a personal choice and neither is right nor wrong.
Wheelchair Bound
A person who is wheelchair-bound is bound to their wheelchair. In other words, that person cannot get out. This is never really the case as a person using a wheelchair full-time still will leave their wheelchair to use the toilet, go to bed, etc.
Synonyms of bound: constraints, enslaved, obligated, restrained, compelled, coerced
Preferred term: wheelchair user
Disabled
I know of disabled people who do not like the term disabled. This is because as mentioned, the synonyms surrounding the term are all negative. Thinking back to what I was saying earlier about thoughts seeping into our unconscious, this would mean that whenever somebody used the term “disabled” it would be synonymous with negative thoughts.
Whilst I understand this thought pattern, I prefer the term disabled for other reasons as I have shared before. I also believe that as with other words from other diverse backgrounds, it is time for us as disabled people to reclaim the term. Therefore, instead of seeing disability as a negative, we can continue to redefine the term to be positive.
However, this certainly does not discount the fact that the results of an impairment can at times, for different people in different ways be incredibly limiting. Whether it is due to chronic pain, limited mobility, cognitive processes or many other barriers resulting from the symptoms of any impairment.
Synonyms of disabled: handicapped, infirm, paralysed, wounded, disarmed, maimed, sidelined, powerless
Able-bodied
An able-bodied person is a person who does not have any physical impairment. In other words, their body is able. However, this is still sketchy territory because some bodies are more able than others: an Olympic swimmer is more able than a novice. The term able-bodied is often used to describe someone with no obvious impairment. This can lead to potential inaccuracy.
Synonyms of able-bodied: athletic, brawny, powerful, robust, strapping, sturdy, powerhouse, ripped, well built, tough
Preferred term: non-disabled
Collective Labels and Positive Language
At times, people have been known to talk about disabled people as a collective. For example, “the disabled”. This term should always be avoided because disabled people do not want to be grouped together as one. The preferred term would be disabled people (or people with disabilities, depending on which term you prefer).
Always use positive language when talking about disability and disabled people. Questions such as “What’s wrong with you?” Should be avoided because it is suggesting that there is something wrong with the individual and as we have discussed, disability is not a punishment nor is it any illness. Similarly, comments such as “You do so well” are not appropriate. This is because they imply that disability is a struggle. Whereas, for many people, our impairment is part of our everyday.
if you’re interested in finding out more about developing confidence around disability language, have a look at our training page and get in touch.
