Language

Words and disability
The use of language about disability has changed.

People with disabilities and their families ask us to be aware of the attitudes and images words create. Language should represent the person, not present them as a disability or a syndrome.

We no longer describe people as abnormal, subnormal, defective, deformed, crippled, Mongol, dumb or retarded. These, and other such labels, are considered degrading.

People with disabilities are not “the disabled” or “the handicapped”. They are not “afflicted with”, nor do they “suffer from” or are “victims of” a disability. And they are not “patients” – patients are sick people.

In a relevant context, someone may be described as a person with an intellectual disability; it is not appropriate to say they are an intellectually handicapped person. Instead of referring to people in terms of their disability (mongoloid, autistic) it is better to say “a person with Down syndrome; a person with autism”.

IHC
The organisation IHC is still called that because, historically, the name is well-known. However, the initials no longer stand for Intellectually Handicapped Children, as they once did. A person is never an IH person – just as someone who cannot work because of an injury is not “an ACC person”.

People first
“People first” has become the catch-cry of many people with disabilities and is now the name of a worldwide movement of people with intellectual disabilities. People with disabilities are, first of all, people, with emotions, desires, aspirations and frustrations – and as many individual differences and interests as anyone else. It is their characteristics and achievements as people that are noteworthy, not their disabilities.

Planning a meeting
When planning a meeting, think about the needs of the person before choosing a location, or let them select a location that suits them. Even if you have had some personal experience with people with disabilities, remember everyone is different.

If you meet someone with a disability, meet and greet them just as you would meet and greet anyone – they will react in the way they prefer or are able. Talk directly to them, and not to their caregiver. You don't need to act as a caregiver when you are with someone with a disability. You might offer to help, but wait until your offer is accepted before acting.

Be patient when you are talking with someone who has difficulty communicating. Listen carefully and watch their body language – don't try to say words for them unless that is the way they want to communicate. Follow their lead.

Respect the privacy of the individual and don't ask any personal questions that you wouldn't want anyone to ask you.

People with visual impairment
If you are meeting someone with a visual impairment, tell them who you are and introduce any others present.

Not all people who are visually impaired are blind. Use “partially sighted” or “visually impaired” as appropriate, unless the person has no sight at all or classifies themselves as blind.

It’s fine to use common expressions like "see you later" if that’s what you would usually say.

People with impaired hearing
Not all people who have a hearing impairment are deaf. They are likely to be “partially deaf” or “hearing impaired”, unless they can't hear anything at all or classify themselves as deaf.

People in wheelchairs
When talking to someone in a wheelchair, sit so you are at the same eye level. Remember, a person in a wheelchair is not “confined to a wheelchair” or “wheelchair-bound”. They use a wheelchair for mobility.

The language of the people
Sometimes you might hear someone with a disability use words about themselves or their disability that seem derogatory and outdated. Allow them to describe themselves however they want. But if you haven't got a disability don't copy them.

Remember, specifying the disability is fine if it is in context. If you remember that a person is first and foremost a person, not their disability, you can’t go wrong.