what is the politically correct term for disabled?

For instance, one person who has dwarfism might like to be referred to as a "dwarf," whereas another might prefer to be called a "person with dwarfism." *. Do you say none of the words? That doesnt make their needs special and when we set the tone that they are special needs, it minimizes their rights. 2023 A Day In Our Shoes with Lisa Lightner, Disability Acceptance, Advocacy and Activism. Some people say that using different terms to refer to people gives in to a movement to be politically correct. For the purposes of these guidelines, CDC promotes person-first language, but also promotes an awareness that language changes with time and individuals within groups sometimes disagree about the preferred language used to describe themselves. Some of us hammer away at words we find outdated and offensive. Avoid using vulnerable when describing people with disabilities. Emphasizes the heart string or telethon-ish perspective. IMHO, and not too much of a mouth-ful (as developmentally disabled tends to be). And what I have learned is that it is not just okay but preferable in many cases to call a disability a disability and not trying to cover it up with softer language.. First, what does disability itself mean? For decades, that provision of services has been known as "special education." Many school districts have moved to referring to the provision of services as "exceptional education." That doesnt mean every adult from those communities, just like not every adult with Down syndrome is asking you to quit saying the r-word; but enough of them, the majority of them, identify as having adisability, not aspecial need. Moron, idiot, cretin, mongo all fall under that as well as retard. Lawrence Carter-Long, who founded the movement called Disabled, Say the Word, says, The language we use mirrors the ways we think, he says. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. I learned early on the necessity for kindness. The term migrant farmworker or migrant agricultural worker is often used to refer to persons who travel from their home base to another location within the same country, or from one country to another, to perform agricultural work. One reason why disability language is still so controversial is that there is an almost hidden but quite fundamental clash between what people are trying to do with the words they choose and the phrases they craft to talk about disability. Avoid phrases like suffers from which suggest discomfort, constant pain and a sense of hopelessness. Comment: Terms are outdated and stigmatizing. Taking an identity-first approach promotes autonomy among and for people with disabilities. If youre reading this, got this far and are still saying to yourself, Words, schmords, it sounds nicer so who cares? Heres one for you. If the word is okay with YOU, will it be okay with THEM? With that in mind, some basic guidelines for politically correct and the disabled: "Special needs" WAS an educational term, not a disability term. Note that it is widely used as a legal term in documents, on signs, etc. Disability is the consequence of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these. Arrrrrghhhh! Roll with their example. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools are required to provide education services to students with disabilities. The keyword here is 'people.'. A already noted, the power to define how we talk about ourselves is crucial in deciding which terms and language constructions should and shouldnt be used. Not all people who have had a mental or emotional disability have it forever or to the same degree all the time. Why do we need to remind society that disabled people are capable of doing things? I haven't said this since high school when a couple of my peers said to me, "Dude, we're not African. Stakeholders are persons or groups who have an interest or concern in a project, activity, or course of action. If you want to hear me reading this, just click the link below. Im learning. No easy answers. What if you want to use the actual meaning of the word in a correct context, like retard growth? As a result, a less charged term is more apt. Everyone is somewhere different in their journey, their life. I wasn't able to work anymore. Debilitated. More Appropriate: Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, speech impaired, Less Appropriate: lame, paralytic, gimp, gimpy,withered hand. In the meantime, the best thing for all of us, disabled or not, is to follow these kinds of basic guidelines, listen to disabled people, and relax a little. Erin E. Andrews, former co-chair of APA's Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology is board certified in rehabilitation psychology and currently serves as the supervisory psychologist at the Austin Veterans Affairs (VA) Outpatient Clinic, the largest freestanding VA outpatient clinic in the United States. Dont worry we wont send you spam or share your email address with anyone. Don't use: "Schizophrenic, psychotic, disturbed, crazy or insane". 2. The term mental retardation was introduced to replace words like "idiot" and "imbecile" that were used in the past to identify people with certain levels of intelligence. The following provides some preferred terms for select population groups; these terms attempt to represent an ongoing shift toward non-stigmatizing language. The condition that causes dwarfism may also cause other symptoms. The main alternative is to be factual and descriptive. Why? ), Referring to people as colored people, colored Indian (to refer to American Indian), Native American (for federal publications), The [racial/ethnic] community (for example, the Black community), Non-White (used with or without specifying non-Hispanic or Latino), American Indian or Alaska Native persons/communities/populations, Black or African American persons; Black persons, People who identify with more than one race; people of more than one race; persons of multiple races, The racial and ethnic group terms provided in CDCs Health Equity Guiding Principles align with those in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). What is another word for mentally challenged? Nothing about disability indicates ability (see. Roughly speaking, some want to use disability terminology to uplift disabled people or somehow repair the image of disability, while others aim for accuracy, simplicity, and a tone closer to neutrality. You should also avoid using terms like 'able-bodied' as this implies people . Almost no term is as insulting as a non-disabled person patiently or aggressively explaining to a disabled person why their own way of talking about themselves is wrong. Less Appropriate: (the) disabled, (the) deaf, (the) blind, (the) mentally retarded, Comment: Terms describe a group only in terms of their disabilities (adjective) and not as people (noun). Bear in mind, of course, that some challenges remain. "They are two distinct things. Here's why you shouldn't use them, and what to say instead. Use of either positive or negative labels inevitably over-emphasizes one aspect disability of a person's life. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. So the correct term is " Disability Rights .". volunteer, etc I have a keen interest in this topic, and a lifetime of experience. They're just in trouble, but there's a way to help them.". Most disabled people are comfortable with the words used to describe daily living. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: We take your privacy seriously. Before I became disabled myself, I worked in a field that served people with a variety of disabilities. The meaning of POLITICALLY CORRECT is conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated. Totally agree. It wasn't a matter of being politically correct, but a matter of common decency. I'm a counselor, Hawai'i based global nomad. "Person with a Disability" is a more inclusive, less biased term to describe someone who is disabled . Idiot, imbecile, moron, and retarded for developmentally disabled or intellectually disabled deaf and dumb for deaf and non-speaking or non-verbal crazy, nut, looney, insane for mentally ill or mentally disabled cripple, gimp for physically disabled or just disabled. American Indian or Alaska Native should only be used to describe persons with different tribal affiliations or when the tribal affiliations are not known or not known to be the same. But many disabled people increasingly feel that their disabilities are not invaders or merely inconvenient attributes, but something more central to who they are. From actual disabled people. Emily Ladau of Words I Wheel By had some very prophetic and profound thoughts on this. The other strives to be more sober, but also elegant and comfortable when spoken and written. If combining subpopulations in writing, ensure American Indians and Alaska Natives from tribes located in what is now called the United States are not included in the immigrant category. Indian Country is generally used in context and is rarely used as a stand-alone it typically is used in writing only after American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) has already been used, and the writer wants to avoid continuing to repeat AI/AN or tribes and refer more broadly to the general wide community of AI/AN peoples and tribes. Remember that both approaches are designed to respect disabled persons, so both are fine choices. The term is increasingly used in a way where it implies someone is dangerous or devious, she said. The correct term is "disability"a person with a disability. Invalid. In 2013, Dunn received the American Psychological Foundation's Charles L. Brewer Award for Distinguished Teaching of Psychology. Knowing how to sensitively refer to members of diverse groups is also important. They are not necessarily more politically correct., More Appropriate: a person has a physical, sensory or mental disability, Less Appropriate: inspirational, courageous. A word reclaimed. He needs to communicate and to eat, go to school, get a job, have friends and leisure activities. Comment: Terms are variations of the condition and describes someone as the condition and implies the person is an object of medical care. Disability. 27 febrero, 2023 . I will always continue to call people what they prefer to be called. The definition of politically correct language (abbreviated to PC) is choosing and using words that focus on empathy, fairness and justice. Check to see which term individuals might prefer. The add-on phrase "with a disability," for example, effectively dissociates the disability from the person. Incapacitated. Non-U.S.-born or foreign-born persons may also be used to refer to individuals born in a country other than the U.S., similar to the international migrant concept. Disabled people, their families and friends, their allies and casual acquaintances, and their antagonists cant agree on which words strike the right balance between accuracy, clarity, realism, and positivity. It's a blanket term that refers to anyone who has a physical (or mental) disability. Often used by programs providing services and support for disabled people and meant as a positive alternative. Indeed, adopting an identity-firstapproach instead of a person-first approach is a way to counter the criticism that the latter can occasionally imply that there is something inherently negative about disability. The question resists all attempts to forge broad consensus. What are politically correct terms? This doesnt work. The term Indian Country describes reservations, lands held within tribal jurisdictions, and areas with American Indian populations. Common phrases that may associate impairments with negative things should be avoided, for example deaf to our pleas or blind drunk. Dunn also blogs regularly for Psychology Today's "Head of the Class.". When referring to disability, the American Psychological Association (APA) urges that it is often best to "put the person first." Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. As a nephew of a Downs uncle (whom I am proudly named after), and an enthusiastic supporter of the community, long-time S.O. Embracing the word disabled, fighting the urge and the conditioning that demands we distance ourselves from it, is a powerful illustration of self-determination in action. It should be noted however, that the same terminology does not necessarily apply in other countries. Not everyone will agree on everything but there is general agreement on some basic guidelines. More Appropriate: mental disability, behavior disorder, emotional disability, mentally restored, Less Appropriate: retard, a person with mental retardation, slow, simple-minded, idiot, Mongoloid. Say handi-capable instead. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. People use words so much, so, Read More Crip and Gimp: Word ReclaimationContinue, When funders focus on developing youth leadership they are nearly always assuming a nondisabled model. So here we go. Now, its just a term that you should be staying way the hell away from (see. Calling my son anything else does not make him any less disabled. Aim to be factual, descriptive, and simple, not condescending, sentimental, or awkward. Accessible parking, parking for people with disabilities . Doing so hinders understanding and can even trivialize other, more important qualities possessed by the individual. Identity First using person with a disability or disabled person. Its a debate largely within the disability community that is about evenly divided and in transition. But just like those derogatory words, the term "retardation" has become an insult, along with . Because my son uses a wheelchair and because quite often we go out in public just the two of us, we often have trouble accessing doors. Some really lay into me and brow beat me over it. I love how you captured that a person is who they are first, and the disability, in whatever form is secondary to that. Traumatic Brain Injury Resources and Blog Posts, Cool Cats: Voices from the Disability Community, International Alliance of Writers for Down Syndrome: The T21 Alliance, The Right Things to Say to Someone with a Chronic Illness, The famous person or situation or whatever apologizes. Ugly is ugly and kindness prevails always! Thus, someone with congenital blindness has a disability, as does someone who must use a wheelchair for mobility purposes. I can tell you that in my childhood and young adulthood I spent a LOT of time and energy being utterly disturbed by what I personally saw and heard, in terms of other peoples response to, understanding of, and interaction with my uncle Christian and other people who may be a little different from average. Comment: Terms are inaccurate, demeaning. 'Older people' and 'older folks' is almost always an appropriate alternative to 'senior citizen.'. Finally, non-disabled people shouldn't lecture disabled people on correct terminology. Consider using words other than stakeholder when appropriate for your audience and subject matter, recognizing it may not always be possible to do so. Advancing psychology to benefit society and improve lives, Contact the Office on Disability Issues in Psychology. The terms used for people with disabilities all too frequently perpetuate stereotypes and false ideas. For example, consider: People with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Comment: Terms implies mental incapacitation occurs with hearing loss and/or speech impairment. The term is " disability rights " - not " disabled rights " or " handicapped rights " simply because historically and politically that's the term that the activists themselves have come to call it. A second meaning of this adjective is inferior. (Often disabled individuals will use these terms in reference to each other but for others to use them, it might be similar to a white person using the term the N word. "It is fine to say 'person with a disability,' but terms like 'challenged' and 'the disabled' have fallen out of favor." When in doubt about what term to use, ask. More Appropriate: Sam has epilepsy, Tony has cerebral palsy (CP), Helen has a learning disability, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Less Appropriate: special, person has special needs, Comment: Term is patronizing and distancing by those with disabilities. But the needs themselves are not special.. Well send you a link to a feedback form. Say the word: disability. As I am trying to grow and learn about ableism, I have tried to go back and update the particularly cringe-worthy ones. Check benefits and financial support you can get, Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3, confined to a wheelchair, wheelchair-bound, mentally handicapped, mentally defective, retarded, subnormal, with a learning disability (singular) with learning disabilities (plural), people with visual impairments; blind people; blind and partially sighted people, an epileptic, diabetic, depressive, and so on, person with epilepsy, diabetes, depression or someone who has epilepsy, diabetes, depression, someone with restricted growth or short stature, use a normal tone of voice, dont patronise or talk down, dont be too precious or too politically correct being super-sensitive to the right and wrong language and depictions will stop you doing anything, never attempt to speak or finish a sentence for the person you are talking to, address disabled people in the same way as you talk to everyone else, speak directly to a disabled person, even if they have an interpreter or companion with them. Impairment It epitomizes how far the disability community has come. 22 Early Career Practice Award, and the 2015 James Besyner Early Career Award from the Association of VA Psychology Leaders. Here are a few tips to sort through the competing schools of thought on disability language, and ride the various waves of popularity and revision that disability language goes through. Person-first language puts the person before the disability, using phrases like "person with a disability" or "person with autism" instead of "disabled person" or "autistic person." Advocates of this approach state that it focuses on the person who is affected by the condition instead of the condition itself; the first words you . Some terms, like special needs, are popular in certain circles, for certain purposes, but almost entirely irrelevant to actual disabled people who are old enough to have developed their own understanding of their disabilities. American Psychological Association. Similarly, placing people with disabilities on a pedestal ("You are so brave to keep trying despite your disability! As Michelle Swan says in her essay My Needs are not Special, "My needs are not special, they are just my needs, and I have the same right to have my needs met as any other person.". A philosophical observation: By using the term impaired, society has expanded the meaning of the word, making it less precise. Its ok to say the word. I was at an event yesterday, and some stewards were helping me up a hill. And read things written by disabled people, too. They dont shift and change just to mess up nervous non-disabled people. Dunn is the author or editor of 29 books and over 150 journal articles, chapters and book reviews. Note: Underserved relates to limited access to services that are accessible, acceptable, and affordable, including healthcare. Dana S. Dunn, a professor of psychology at Moravian College, in Bethlehem, Penn. Term no longer in use: the handicapped. (Sorry, the link I had is no longer valid and I cannot find it). Saving Lives, Protecting People, Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting, Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, People/persons who are incarcerated or detained (often used for shorter jail stays, for youth in detention facilitiesor for other persons awaiting immigration proceedingsin detention facilities), Persons detained by or under the custody of (specify agency) (for example, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] or other agencies), Confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair-bound, People who are deaf or hard of hearing or who are blind or have low vision, People with an intellectual or developmental disability, People who use a wheelchair or mobility device. Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that usually results in an adult height of 4'10" or shorter, although in some cases a person with a form of dwarfism may be slightly taller than that. More Appropriate: people who are developmentally disabled have Downs Syndrome, Less Appropriate: Sam is epileptic, Tony is CP (cerebral palsied),- spastic, Helen is LD (learning disabled), is AD/HD. Worked for me. Describes that which is different about ANY person as all simply have needs., More Appropriate: (none is needed), accommodations are needed, Less Appropriate: physically challenged, handi-capable, inconvenienced, differently-abled, Comment: To some people, these euphemisms avoid reality and rob people of dignity. Hear, hear! The term alien (person who is not a citizen of the United States) may be stigmatizing in some contexts and should only be used in technical documents and when referring to or using immigration law terminology. However, she actually is not handicapped herself; rather, the handicapping element is in the environment, not within her. Members of Deaf culture want their label to be capitalized with a "D," which is a means for establishing unity and community. Special needs WAS an educational term, not a disability term. Answer (1 of 5): I think handicapped is more commonly disliked because some people think the etymology is "cap in hand" i.e. Language in communication products should reflect and speak to the needs of people in the audience of focus. They're not strangers. Not all members of the disability community think person-first language is the best choice. 4 years ago, I wrote a post calledThe Choice to Suffer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Disabled. By deciding what we want to call ourselves, owning it, we claim our power and celebrate the history and the community advocacy that made it possible.. Use as a descriptive noun or adjective, such as person living with AIDS, woman who is blind. Those are words that have evolved but still carry some of their original meaning. Hurt. Hearing-impaired - This term is no longer accepted by most in the community but was at one time preferred, largely because it was viewed as politically correct. The argument is straightforward: use of these honest, candid and less euphemistic terms and phrases enables groups and the individuals within them to "claim" their disabilities with pride. Im allowed to call myself a spaz. It is a means through which many of us live our lives, a platform of existence. Several months ago, I did a blog post about People First Language, and why it shouldnt be mandated. Its the constant little pin-pricks of being called what we specifically ask to NOT be called from the handi-capable, special needs, the references to wheelchair bound, and the differently-abled.. I completely get it and I dont think there are easy answers because I think so much of this depends on individual preference. There are a dozen ways to analyze and justify or criticize this intellectually, but its also just the way things work with people who are marginalized or oppressed. I had a lot of fun with the gifs. For now, because I am not disabled, I am going to follow their lead, as we all should do. Since we're talking about replacements for "crippled," we'll focus on the physical disabilities, which is why "disabled" still works as the best replacement. As you also know from your own experience, education is key to improving all of our lives. Consider the audience when determining the appropriate term(s) to use. Speaking as someone with a few years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities the current politically correct term is what I just used. When referring to people who are experiencing symptoms (for example, depression, anxiety) but a condition has not been diagnosed or the symptoms may not reach a clinical threshold, consider: Persons experiencing persistent high stress or anxiety, Asylum seeker; people who are seeking asylum, Non-U.S.-born persons/foreign-born persons, Use accurate and clearly defined terms when referring to foreign-born persons. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. His scholarship examines teaching, learning and liberal education, as well as the social psychology of disability. Stutterer, tongue-tied ; Person with a speech impairment, who has a speech . I sometimes wonder is there some genetic marker theyll find one day that shows a link between Downs Syndrome and traits for kindness, good-humor, a sweet (if occasionally ornery) disposition, and a loving nature? Consider using people with health conditions or impairments if it seems more appropriate. Use language that respects disabled people as active individuals with control over their own lives. And others need to recognize the limits of their power to regulate this practice. Please contact us with any questions or comments at HEGuidingPrinciples@cdc.gov. A community. As a counselor, it's also a place in which I offer you wellness, support and resources. CDC twenty four seven. Andrews is the director of psychology training for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. Within its "Publication Manual," the APA also urges writers as well as speakers to avoid using any language that refers to disability in a deleterious or pejorative manner. Its part of you and that part is important. What if you SUCK and just MESS UP and someone catches you and you are proved to be a COMPLETELY INSENSITIVE and HURTFUL HUMAN BEING?!!!!!! It is okay to use words or phrases such as "disabled," "disability," or "people with disabilities" when talking about disability issues. Whats the right way to refer to someone in a wheelchair, or a someone who cant see, or see well, or a person who cant hear, or hear well, someone who doesnt speak, who has noticeable trouble understanding things, someone who is sick a lot, or always in pain, or who just seems strange or off in some undefinable way? ), More Appropriate: people with disabilities, deaf people, blind people, persons with a developmental disability, Less Appropriate: Sue is an arthritic, diabetic, paraplegic. Is there a way for anyone to navigate disability language clearly, safely, and respectfully? We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Comment: One commenter observed that there are "many gradations" in the type or severity of intellectual disabilities, which the term "intellectual disability" could encompass. Disability and disabled work elegantly simply to describe the shared social identity of all people who have any kind of disability. And looking back, person first language seems to have been promoted mostly by non-disabled people for our benefit, not by us. ), More Appropriate: Anita has a physical disability; Tom is unable to walk, Less Appropriate: sightless, blind as a bat, four eyes. But just like learning about mourning (cringe) and autistic and people first language, this is where I am learning. The Term "Intellectual Disability" Is Too Broad and, Therefore, Unclear. Identity-first language promotes use of phrases like "amputee," "diabetic" and "disabled person" (but not "victim" or similar negative words) where disability identity comes first. In this case, a wheelchair user is handicapped her mobility through use of her wheelchair is disrupted by the missing ramp. Let's begin by defining some terms. When describing a combination of racial/ethnic groups (for example, 3 or more sub-groups) use people from some racial and ethnic groups or people from racial and ethnic minority groups. What is the politically correct term for learning disability? 1. The Backlash. This style guide, which covers dozens of words and terms commonly used when referring to disability, can help. The most essential guideline for disability language is to use whatever words each individual disabled person prefers. 3. They all sound . How about it?! Person with a disability is now referred to as a disabled person. Other disabilities are not necessarily apparent, for example, acquired brain injury or chronic depression. Comment: Terms are demeaning and outdated.