APPROPRIATE TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Person-First Language

People with Disabilities make up the largest minority group in the United States, consisting of all ages, genders, religions, ethnicities and socioeconomic indicators. However, the language sensitivity we generally extend to racial and gender minorities, for instance, hasn't as consistently or widely extended to people with disabilities.

Historically, terminology for people with disabilities was coined by the medical profession, giving greater language significance to the disability type than individuals with disabilities. People with disabilities traditionally have been labeled by disability group, disease or assistive devices they use--the blind, the deaf, diabetics, amputees, walkers, wheelchairs or crutch users.

More and more, however, the emphasis and terminology are changing to give more language emphasis to individuals instead of medical conditions.

Language is being used more often to accentuate the positive when referring to people with disabilities, which is leading to more positive public attitudes. Person-first language encourages positive attitudes, emphasizing the person first, then the disability and has only recently become familiar and popularly used.

So much traditional and historical language regarding people with disabilities derives from times and social attitudes that are inappropriate and unacceptable today. For instance, the word handicapped comes from the term cap in hand, implying that one must beg for his living and is dependent on society. Instead of "handicapped," the people-first language standard is "people with disabilities."

In another example, the word crippled is from the Old English for "to creep" and the adjective form was used to imply inferiority. Instead of "crippled," say a person "has a disability."

Say "a person who has" a particular disability instead of "a person afflicted with," "suffers from," or is a "victim of".

Say "uses a wheelchair" instead of "confined to a wheelchair," since, far from being a confining device, wheelchairs allow mobility and access.

Say "has a congenital disability" instead of "has a birth defect" because people with disabilities are not defective.

Say "a person who is deaf" or "a person who does not speak" instead of "deaf-mute", "deaf" and "dumb" because people who are deaf often can speak and they are not dumb.

Say "person with mental illness" instead of "mental", "crazy", "psycho", "insane", or "nut case" which are all offensive and negative stereotypes.

These are just a few examples of person-first language. It may seem frivolous or unimportant to many, but negative language heard repeatedly can affect the self-esteem, sense of purpose and even the independence of a person with a disability. Acknowledging the positive instead of dwelling on the negative creates an environment for acceptance, improvement and opens up possibilities for even greater accomplishments.

Life is about attitude. Keep it positive!

Lanny Taulbee, Disabilities Center, April - July 2008

 

1) ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a syndrome of learning and behavioral problems that is not caused by any serious underlying physical or mental disorder and is characterized especially by difficulty in sustaining attention, impulsive behavior, and usually by excessive activity. Instead of hyperactive, say person with ADHD.

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2) AUTISM is a mental disorder originating in infancy that is characterized by absorption in self-centered subjective mental activity, especially when accompanied by marked withdrawal from reality, inability to interact social, repetitive behavior, and language dysfunction. Instead of autistic, say person with autism.

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BLIND describes a condition in which a person has loss of vision for ordinary life purposes. Visually impaired is the generic term used by some individuals to refer to all degrees of vision loss. Say boy who is blind, girl who is visually impaired, or man who has low vision.

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BRAIN INJURY describes a condition where there is long-term or temporary disruption in brain function resulting from injury to the brain. Difficulties with cognitive, physical, emotional, and/or social functioning may occur. Do not say brain damaged. Say person with a brain injury, woman who has sustained brain injury, or boy with an acquired brain injury.

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CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, also called chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, describes a serious chronic condition in which individuals experience six or more months of fatigue accompanied by physical and cognitive symptoms. Do not use terms such as Yuppie Flu, malingering, and hypochondrias as they are pejorative, imply personality disorders, and are not scientifically supportable. Say person with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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CLEFT LIP describes a specific congenital disability involving the lip and gum. The term hare lip is anatomically incorrect and stigmatizing. Say person who has a cleft lip or a cleft palate. Congenital disability describes a disability that has existed since birth but is not necessarily hereditary. The terms birth defect and deformity are inappropriate. Say person with a congenital disability.

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DEAF refers to a profound degree of hearing loss that prevents understanding speech through the ear. Hearing impaired or hearing loss are generic terms used by some individuals to indicate any degree of hearing loss—from mild to profound. These terms include people who are hard of hearing and deaf. However, some individuals completely disfavor the term hearing impaired. Others prefer to use deaf or hard of hearing. Hard of hearing refers to a mild to moderate hearing loss that may or may not be corrected with amplification. Say woman who is deaf, boy who is hard of hearing, individuals with hearing losses, people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

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DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY is any mental and/or physical disability starting before the age of 22 and continuing indefinitely. It limits one or more major life activity such as self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. This includes individuals with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, sensory impairments, congenital disabilities, traumatic injuries or conditions caused by disease (polio, muscular dystrophy, etc.). It may also be the result of multiple disabilities. Say person with a developmental disability.

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DISABILITY is a general term used for a functional limitation that interferes with a person’s ability, for example, to walk, lift, heal or learn. It may refer to a physical, sensory, or mental condition. Do not refer to people with disabilities as the handicapped, handicapped persons, or special. Handicap can be used when citing laws and situations, but should never be used to describe a person or disability. Say as a descriptive noun or adjective, such as person living with AIDS, woman who is blind, or man with a disability.

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DISFIGUREMENT refers to physical changes caused by burns, trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. Say burn survivor, or adult with burns, or child with burns instead of burn victim.

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DOWN SYNDROME describes a chromosome disorder that usually causes a delay in physical, intellectual and language development. Usually results in mental retardation. Mongol, Mongoloid, and Down child/person are unacceptable. Say person with Down syndrome.

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HIV/AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is an infectious disease resulting in the loss of the body’s immune system to ward off infections. The disease is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A positive test for HIV can occur without symptoms of the illnesses that usually develop up to 10 years later including tuberculosis, recurring pneumonia, cancer, recurrent vaginal yeast infections, intestinal ailments, chronic weakness and fever, and profound weight loss. Say people living with HIV, people with AIDS or living with AIDS instead of AIDS victim..

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LEARNING DISABILITY describes a permanent condition that affects the way individuals take in, retain, and express information. Some groups prefer specific learning disability, because it emphasizes that only certain learning processes are affected. Do not say slow learner, retarded, etc., which are different from learning disabilities. Say person with a learning disability.

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MENTAL DISABILITY: The Federal Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) lists four categories under mental disability: psychiatric disability, retardation, learning disability, or cognitive impairment as acceptable terms. Always precede these terms with, “person with…”

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MENTAL RETARDATION refers to substantial intellectual delay that requires environmental or personal supports to live independently. Mental retardation is manifested by below-average intellectual functioning in two or more life areas (work, education, daily living, etc.) and is present before the age of 18. Don’t use subnormal or the retarded. Say people with mental retardation. NOTE: There is a movement afoot to eliminate the use of the term “mental retardation”, since many people find it demeaning. Suggested terms are “(persons with a) cognitive disability”, or “(person with an) intellectual disability”.

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MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES describes a chronic condition characterized by neurological impairment, muscle pain and weakness, respiratory problems and gastrointestinal complaints triggered by contact with low level exposure to common substances including pesticides, new carpet, particle board, cleaning agents, and perfumes. Some people react to foods and electromagnetic fields. Do not use psychosomatic or 20th century disease. Say person with chemical intolerance or environmental illness.

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NONDISABLED is the appropriate term for people without disabilities. Normal, able-bodied, temporarily able-bodied, healthy, or whole are not appropriate.

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POST POLIO SYNDROME is a condition that affects persons who have had poliomyelitis (polio) long after recovery from the disease and that is characterized by muscle weakness, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue. Do not use polio victim. Say person with post polio syndrome.

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PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITY, psychotic, schizophrenic, neurotic, and other specific terms should be used only in proper clinical context and should be checked carefully for medical and legal accuracy. Words such as crazy, maniac, lunatic, demented, schizo, and psycho are offensive and should never be applied to people with mental health problems or anyone else. Acceptable terms are people with psychiatric disabilities, psychiatric illnesses, emotional disorders, or mental disorders. Some people who receive services for psychiatric issues prefer to be called “consumers” rather than clients, although this term is currently in flux. If possible, use the phrase “person in recovery”.

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SEIZURE describes an involuntary muscular contraction, a brief impairment or loss of consciousness, etc., resulting from a neurological condition such as epilepsy or from an acquired brain injury. The term convulsion should be used only for seizures involving contraction of the entire body. Do not use fit, spastic, or attacks. Rather than epileptic, say girl with epilepsy or boy with a seizure disorder.

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SMALL/SHORT STATURE describes people under 4’10” tall. Do not refer to these individuals as dwarves or midgets, which implies a less than full adult status in society. Dwarfism is an accepted medical term, but it should not be used as general terminology. Say persons of small (short) stature. Some groups prefer the term “little people”.

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SPEECH DISORDER is a condition in which a person has limited or difficult speech patterns. Do not use mute or dumb. Use child who has a speech disorder. For a person with no verbal speech capability, say woman without speech.

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SPINAL CORD INJURY describes a condition in which there has been permanent damage to the spinal cord. Quadriplegia denotes substantial or significant loss of function in all four extremities. Paraplegia refers to substantial or significant loss of function in the lower part of the body only. Say man with paraplegia, woman with quadriplegia, or person with a spinal cord injury.

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STROKE is caused by interruption of blood to the brain. Hemiplegia (paralysis on one side) may result. Stroke survivor or person who has had a stroke is preferred over stroke victim.

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SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE refers to patterns of substance use that result in significant impairment in at least three life areas (family, employment, health, etc.) over any 12 month period. Substance dependence is generally characterized by impaired control over consumption, preoccupation with the substance, and denial of impairment in life areas. Substance dependence may include physiological dependence/tolerance withdrawal. Although such terms as alcoholic and addict are medically acceptable, they may be derogatory to some individuals. Acceptable terms are people who are substance dependent or people who are alcohol dependent. The term substance addiction (or just addictions) is appropriate, but many find use of the terms “substance abuse” and substance/drug abuser” offensive. An individual who has a history of dependence on alcohol and/or other drugs and is no longer using alcohol or drugs may identify themselves as recovering or as a person in recovery.

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