"People-first" Language: Using Words with Dignity

Even though we live in a world which seems to lean too heavily sometimes on Political Correctness (PC), it is still important to avoid negative connotations and attitudes when referring to or about someone who may be different from ourselves. This is especially true regarding people with disabilities.

A basic rule of thumb is to make reference to the person first, and then the disability, such as: "a person with a disability," rather than a "disabled person." Always use an adjective as a description, not as a priority. Here is a good example: always say, "the architect who uses a wheelchair," rather than "the wheelchair architect."

The words we choose to use are also important. Some are acceptable while others may be considered outdated or even offensive. Below are some important distinctions.

Do Not Use...

confined to a wheelchair
handicapped
crippled
victim
patient (except in hospital)
invalid
stricken with
deaf and dumb
deaf mute
birth defect
inflicted or afflicted
deformed
poor
unfortunate
shut-in

Try these words instead...

physically disabled
person with a disability
person with mental retardation
person with a developmental disability
person who is blind
person who has a speech impairment
person with a learning disability
deaf person
non-speaking deaf person
hearing-impaired (some hearing capability)
person in a wheelchair
person who uses a wheelchair
person who is home-bound

Remember, if someone asks you, "How do you treat a person with a disability?" The answer is simple: "Like a person!"