Disability language guide

Using respectful disability language

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

Some words used to describe people with disability (sometimes learnt as a child) can be hurtful or outdated.

Here are some of the words to avoid and what to say instead.

Words to avoid and what to say instead

Avoid: normal person

Say: person without a disability

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

Say: person with disability

Avoid: retarded, moron, intellectually challenged

Say: person with an intellectual disability

Avoid: mongol, mongoloid, downsy

Say: person with Down syndrome

Avoid: spastic, spaz

Say: person with disability, or person with cerebral palsy

Avoid: paraplegic, quadriplegic

Say: person with paraplegia, person with quadriplegia

Avoid: confined to a wheelchair, wheelchair bound

Say: uses a wheelchair, or wheelchair user

Avoid: cripple, physically challenged

Say: person with a physical disability

Avoid: dumb

Say: non-verbal, or does not use spoken language

Avoid: dwarf, midget, vertically challenged

Say: person of short stature

Avoid: insane, lunatic, maniac, mental, psycho, crazy

Say: person with a mental health condition, or person with psychosocial disability

Avoid: institution

Say: mental health service, or mental health facility

How to talk to someone with disability

When you’re chatting with someone who has a disability, just be yourself. Here are a few tips:

• Look them in the eye and speak directly to them, not to their companion.
• Never speak about the person as if they can’t understand or respond.
• Don’t assume someone can’t do things. People with disability are capable of all sorts of things.
• Ask before offering help. They may not need it, and that’s okay.
• Don’t pat or talk to guide dogs or assistance animals. These animals are working and shouldn’t be distracted.
• Don’t assume a person with one disability has other disabilities. For example, someone with low vision can still hear you. There’s no need to shout.

Want to learn more?

For a more detailed guide to disability inclusive language, visit the People with Disability Australia Language Guide. This resource was written by people with disability and provides advice on respectful and inclusive language.