D. Fair Representation
of People with Disabilities
Referring to people with disabilities
Discriminatory language in relation to the portrayal of
people with disabilities is characterised by depersonalising,
that is , by emphasising the disability rather than the
individual person, and by stereotyping.
The term "handicapped" is falling into disuse
and should be avoided. The terms "able-bodied",
physically challenged", "differently abled"
and "sufferer" are also to be avoided.
The preferred usage, "people with disabilities",
stresses the essential humanity of individuals and avoids
objectification.
| Instead of |
Use |
| the deaf |
people who are deaf (or hearing impaired) |
| the vision impaired |
people with vision impairment |
| the disabled |
people with disabilities |
| the mentally handicapped |
people with intellectual disabilities |
| epileptics |
people with epilepsy |
| victim of AIDS or AIDS sufferer |
person with AIDS |
| polio victim |
had polio |
Choose the correct terminology for the specific
disability
If it is relevant to refer to a person's disability, appropriate
terminology includes: people who are blind, vision impaired,
deaf, hearing impaired, intellectually impaired, mobility
impaired.
It also includes: people with or who have cerebral palsy,
Down Syndrome, mental illness, paraplegia, quadriplegia,
epilepsy, specific learning disability or speech impairment.
However, note that some people who are deaf prefer to
be known as "deaf" and "belonging to the deaf community",
they resent the label "hearing impaired".
Be careful not to imply that people with disabilities
are to be pitied, feared or ignored, or that they are somehow
more heroic, courageous, patient, or "special" than others.
Do not use the term "normal" in contrast.
A person in a wheelchair is a "wheelchair user" or "uses
a wheelchair". Avoid terms that define the disability as
a limitation, such as "confined to a wheelchair" or "wheelchair-bound".
A wheelchair liberates, it does not confine.
Never use the terms "victim" or "sufferer" to refer to
a person who has or had a disease or disability. This term
dehumanises the person and emphasises powerlessness.
| Instead of |
Use |
| victim of AIDS or AIDS sufferer |
person with AIDS |
| polio victim |
had polio |
How to avoid Discrimination on
the Grounds of Age
Many of the myths that are held about ageing are reflected
in language use. In our society ageing generally holds negative
views despite evidence indicating that the majority of older
people are busy, independent, and contribute to the social
and economic well-being of the community.
It is inappropriate to use the words "pensioners", "the
elderly", "geriatric" and "senile" in general language use
because they perpetuate the negative myths about older people.
In a study conducted by the Queensland Office of Ageing
the term "older people" was considered most acceptable by
all age groups, and "seniors", "senior citizens" and "mature
aged" were also popular.
It is also best to avoid the use of the word "respect"
when referring to older people because although well intended
it can imply appreciation of past achievements only and,
the use of the term "care" which can immediately place the
older person in a dependent position.
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