Wednesday, October 22, 2008

When Referring to People With Disabilities....

I thought the class would find this helpful after several people stated that they weren't sure what the correct or non-offensive terms to use were when referring to persons with disabilities or PWD's.


Do not say:

* normal person
* confined to a wheelchair
* afflicted
* crippled
* deaf and dumb
* gimp
* poor
* retarded
* suffering
* unfortunate
* victim

Instead, say:

* able-bodied or non-disabled
* wheelchair user
* refrain completely from the rest of the terms listed


Use respectful and descriptive words, such as "a person who is deaf", "a person with a learning disability", or "a person who has AIDS". They are, after all, a person FIRST and they want to be respected, appreciated, and productive, just like an able-bodied person in society.

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