Disability language guide

Using respectful disability terminology and language

When a person has a disability, it doesn’t define who they are.

Some words that are used to describe people with a disability (perhaps learnt as a child) can be hurtful.

Here are some of the right and wrong ways of talking about a person with a disability.

Words to avoid and the acceptable alternatives

Avoid normal person

Use person without a disability

Avoid disabled, handicapped, invalid, special needs, defected, deformed

Use person with a disability

Avoid retarded, tard, moron, intellectually challenged

Use person with an intellectual disability

Avoid mongol, mongoloid, mong, downsy

Use person with Down syndrome

Avoid spastic, spaz

Use person with a disability, person with cerebral palsy

Avoid paraplegic, quadriplegic

Use person with paraplegia, person with quadriplegia

Avoid confined to a wheelchair, wheelchair bound

Use uses a wheelchair

Avoid cripple, physically challenged

Use physical disability

Avoid dumb

Use non-verbal

Avoid dwarf, midget, little person, vertically challenged

Use short-statured person

Avoid insane, lunatic, maniac, mental, psycho, psychopath, crazy, skitzo

Use person with a mental illness

Avoid institution

Use mental health clinic

How to talk to people with disabilities

When you’re talking with a person who has a disability, just be yourself. Make sure you:

• Look someone in the eye
• Talk directly to the person – don’t talk to their companion instead
• Never speak about the person as if they can’t understand or respond
• Don’t assume a person can’t do things
• Ask someone first before offering help – they may not need it!
• Don’t pat or talk to a guide dog or service animal – these animals are working so shouldn’t be distracted
• Don’t assume a person with a disability has other disabilities. Eg, someone who has low vision can still hear you, there is no need to shout.