Language in the disability sector is contested, evolving and important. The words you use signal your values, your awareness, and whether the people you’re communicating about and with can trust you to represent them accurately and respectfully.

So why is it that providers keep using old fashioned, dated and at times condescending language? Keeping up with the lingo is worth the effort.

The identity-first vs person-first debate

Person-first language (a person with disability, a person who has autism) emphasises the person before the disability.

Identity-first language (a disabled person, an Autistic person) is increasingly preferred by many disabled people and disability advocates.

The right approach: ask. When communicating with or about specific individuals, use their preferred language.

Language to retire

• Suffers from – implies tragedy. Replace with has or lives with
• Confined to a wheelchair – wheelchairs are enabling, not confining. Replace with uses a wheelchair
• Special needs – vague and patronising. Use specific language about disability or support needs
• Differently abled, handi-capable – euphemisms most disabled people find condescending
• Brave, inspirational – when applied to disabled people simply for existing or doing ordinary things

The learning stance

Language evolves. Community preferences change. The goal is not to memorise a list of approved words but to develop genuine curiosity about how the people you work with want to be described – and stay open to learning when you get it wrong.

Exercise

Review your website, social media bio, and three most recent pieces of content. Identify any language that could be updated based on this lesson. Make the changes.