Terminology Guide
Just as derogatory references to ethnic and
racial minorities have passed from our lexicon, it is time that
individuals with disabilities are accorded the same respect.
Here is a terminology guide:
Put the person before the disability. For
example, use "people with disabilities" as opposed to
"disabled people" or "the disabled."
Do not use phrases such as "confined
to a wheelchair," "crippled,"
"afflicted," "victim of" or "suffers
from a disorder." These references diminish dignity and
magnify the disability. Instead, refer to "the person who
uses a wheelchair" or "the person with an emotional
disorder."
Avoid portraying people with disabilities
as superhuman, courageous, poor or unfortunate. People with
disabilities do not want to be, nor should they be, measured
against a separate set of expectations.
Avoid using trendy euphemisms to describe
people with disabilities. Expressions such as "physically
challenged," "special" and
"handi-capable" are generally regarded by people with
disabilities as patronizing.
It is probably unnecessary in speaking,
writing, producing audio or video tapes, or in promoting
products to mention a person's disability. If the disability is
not relevant, leave it out. If a person's disability is
relevant to an issue, distinguish between impairment,
disability and handicap:
Impairment is used to characterize a physical, mental or
physiological loss, abnormality or injury that causes a
limitation in one or more major life functions. For example,
"The loss of her right leg impaired her ability to walk
long distances."
Disability refers
to a limitation that affects an individual's ability to perform
certain functions. For example, it is correct to say,
"Blindness is a disability that prevents one from driving
a car."
Handicap describes
a barrier or problem created by society or the environment. For
example, "People with disabilities are sometimes
handicapped by the assumption of employers that their abilities
are somehow limited."
Deaf refers
to profound hearing loss in a person who does not have the
ability to discriminate speech aurally. Hard of hearing may be
used to describe any degree of hearing loss. Never refer to a
person as being "hearing impaired," "deaf
mute" or "deaf and dumb."
Blind most
frequently is used to describe severe vision loss. Either blind
or visually impaired are acceptable terms to describe all
degrees of vision loss.
Developmental disability is any severe mental and/or physical disorder
that began before age 22 and continues indefinitely.
Individuals with mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy,
epilepsy and other similar long-term disabilities may be
considered to have developmental disabilities.
Mental illness is
a term describing many forms of illness, such as schizophrenia,
depression and emotional disorders. Clinical terms such as
"neurotic" and "psychotic" should be used
only for clinical writing. Never use the terms
"demented," "insane," "abnormal,"
"deranged," "deviant" or "mad."
It is preferred to use the term "person with a mental
disability" when referring to a person with any form of
mental illness.
Do not use "normal,"
"able-bodied," or "healthy" to describe
people without a disability, as these words imply a person with
a disability isn't normal or healthy.
(Definitions and terminology courtesy of
The President’s Committee on Employment of People with
Disabilities and Gailaudet University)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
has a three-part definition of "disability." Under
the ADA, an individual with a disability is defined as a person
who has:
a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more major life activities;
a record of such an impairment; or
is regarded as having such an impairment.
An impairment under the ADA is a physiological or
mental disorder.
Examples are:
walking
seeing
speaking
hearing
breathing
learning
performing
manual tasks
caring for oneself
working
These are examples only. Other activities
such as sitting, standing, lifting, or reading are also major
life activities.
For more information contact the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission and request a copy of "A
Technical Assistance Manual on The Employment Provisions (Title
1) of the Americans with Disabilities Act." Read the
EEOC's "
Section 902 Definition of the Term Disability.
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