THE LANGUAGE OF DISABILITIES

As greater numbers of individuals take advantage of the opportunities open to them in business, indistry and travel, it becomes increasingly important to promote an environment that is positive for persons with disabilities. One of the best and easiest ways is appropriate language use.

The recommended manner is known as "persons first" language. This means that the person is emphasized first, the disability second. For example:

• person with a disability
  
  
• individual without speech
  
  
• woman who is blind or visually impaired
  
  
• person who is deaf or hearing impaired
  
  
• man with paraplegia
  
  
• woman who is paralyzed
  
  
• individual with epilepsy
  
  
• person who has a learning disability
  
  
• person with a mental disability, cognitive impairment
  
  
• person with a developmental disability
  
  
• congenital disability

• disabled or handicapped person
  
  
• mute, dumb
  
  
• blind woman or "the blind"
  
  
• deaf person or "the deaf"
  
  
• paraplegic
  
  
• paralyzed woman
  
  
• epileptic
  
  
• slow learner, retarded, learning disabled
  
  
• crazy, demented, insane
  
  
• mentally retarded
  
  
• birth defect

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ACPA Task Force on Disability Issues