Young people with disability just want to be treated like everyone else. When engaging with young people with disability, you have to consider how that person best communicates and how you can respond to that.
–YDAS Co-designer
Language
In Australia, we usually use person-first language. That means we describe the person before we describe the disability. We say ‘person with disability’, ‘person with Cerebral Palsy’ or ‘person who is blind or has low vision’. Some people prefer to call themselves ‘disabled person’. This relates to the social model and how it says that people are not disabled by an impairment they have, rather they are disabled by society. It also reflects the disability pride movement which encourages people to own the label of disability. Just listen to how people describe themselves and, if in doubt, you can ask how they would like to be described – they might just want you to call them by their name!
Definitely avoid euphemisms and made up words that make people with disability seem special such as ‘diffAbled’, ‘people of all abilities’ or ‘differently abled’. Having a disability is normal to people who have them. Having a disability isn’t necessarily bad, it is just a natural part of the human experience.
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Instead of using |
Try using |
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‘the blind’ or ‘the deaf’ ‘abnormal’ or ‘special’ |
Person with disability Person who is blind |
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Words or phrases with negative connotations ‘crazy’, ‘insane’ or ‘mad’ |
Use the appropriate clinical name ‘person with schizophrenia’ or ‘person with a mental illness’ |
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‘dwarf’ |
‘person who is little’ or ‘person of short stature’ |
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‘wheelchair bound’ – wheelchairs enable people to get around and be a part of society. Not everybody uses a wheelchair permanently |
‘wheelchair user’ |
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‘fit’ or ‘attack’ |
‘seizure’ |
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‘suffers from’ or ‘afflicted with’ |
‘has’ |
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Some other things to consider:
- Hearing us is not enough. Listen to us and respect what we say.
- Not everyone wants to talk about their disability. Don’t talk about it unless necessary.
- People communicate in a variety of ways. Make sure you communicate with people in a way that works for them.
- Ask questions to check if you understand what’s been said.
- Don’t patronize or talk down to people with disability. We’re people – focus on the person, not the disability!
Read more:
Using inclusive language and disability etiquette – Australian Network on Disability:
https://www.and.org.au/pages/inclusive-language.html
https://www.and.org.au/pages/etiquette.html
Communicating with young people who are deaf/Deaf/hard of hearing – Expression Australia:
https://www.expression.com.au/files/editor_upload/File/Information%20Sheets/Deaf%20Culture%20and%20Communication%20-%20A%20Basic%20Guide%20EA.pdf
Next: Actions - Asking Questions