How You Speak Matters
Another important aspect in understanding the MR/DD community is that
language matters. Some people may think suggestions about appropriate
terminology is an overdose of political correctness. Others see it as
adjusting how we speak and write as a way to overcome stereotypes and
to put the person out front of their disability. Following are some suggestions
you may find helpful:
- Put people first. Use phrases like “a woman with arthritis,” “persons with disabilities,” etc. Avoid featuring the disability and making that the object of the phrase, such as, “the mentally retarded,” “crippled people,” and so on. Do not lead off with the disability.
- Avoid sensationalizing a disability. Use phrases like “person who has AIDS” or “man who has downs syndrome.” Avoid words like “crippled with,” “afflicted with,” “victim of,” etc.
- Avoid Generic Labels. This is implicit in the previous paragraphs. Use phrases like “people who are blind,” or “a person with mental retardation.” “The retarded,” “the deaf” are phrases that lump people into one stereotype and de-personalizes the individuality of the person.
- Two other points to remember: emphasize abilities; and, show/think interaction.
Excerpted from The Arc of the United States, “Guidelines For Reporting and Writing About People with Disabilities,” The Arc of the United States, online at www.thearc.org/misc/writingguides.htm.
| << ADA and the Olmstead Decision | Fast Facts >> |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
||
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||