Communication Strategies

Man talking to co-worker

What’s in a word?

The words we use to describe one another can have an enormous impact on the perceptions we have of one another, our treatment of one another, our mutual expectations, and how we make people feel welcome.

The best way to refer to someone with a disability is the same way we all like to be referred to: by name.

Below are some helpful tips when you speak with — and about — a person with a disability. While this information can be helpful, keep these things in mind:

If you are unsure of the proper term or language to use, it is usually best to ask. Asking relays the message that you respect that person and are interested in addressing them appropriately.
The best way to refer to someone with a disability is the same way we all like to be referred to: by name.

General Tips

Outdated or Offensive Language	Reason(s)	Currently Accepted*
Using “The” to begin description of a person with a particular disability. For example: The blind, The disabled, The autistic	Views people in terms of their disability; Groups people into one undifferentiated category; Condescending; Does not reflect the individuality, equality, or dignity of people with disabilities	People with disabilities Deaf people People who are blind People who are visually impaired People with autism
Handicapped	Outdated; connotes that people with disabilities need charity Disabilities don’t handicap: Attitudes and architecture handicap	People with disabilities
The disabled	An individual is a person before one is disabled. People with disabilities are individuals who share a common condition.	People with disabilities
Admits she/he has a disability	Disability is not something people admit to or needs to be admitted to	Says she/he has a disability
Normal, healthy, whole (when speaking about people without disabilities as compared to people with disabilities)	People with disabilities may also be normal, healthy, and whole Implies that the person with a disability isn’t normal	Non-disabled Person without a disability
“Courageous”	Implies person has courage because of having a disability	Has overcome his/her disability Successful, Productive

Specific Disabilities & Conditions

Outdated or Offensive Language	Reason(s)	Currently Accepted*
Deaf and dumb Dumb Deaf-mute	Implies mental incapacitation; Simply because someone is deaf does not mean that they cannot speak	Deaf Non-verbal Hard of hearing Person who does not speak Unable to speak Uses synthetic speech
Hearing impaired Suffers a hearing loss	Negative connotation of “impaired,” “suffers”	Deaf Hard of hearing
Slurred speech Unintelligible speech	Stigmatizing	Person/people with a communication disability People with slow speech
Confined to a wheelchair Wheelchair-bound	Wheelchairs don’t confine; they make people mobile	Uses a wheelchair Wheelchair user Person who uses a wheelchair
Cripple Crippled	From Old English, meaning “to creep”; Was also used to mean “inferior” Dehumanizing	Has a disability Physical disability Physically disabled
Deformed Freak Vegetable	Connotes repulsiveness, oddness Dehumanizing	Multiple disabilities Severe disabilities
Crazy Insane Psycho Maniac Nut Case	Stigmatizing Considered offensive Reinforces negative stereotypes	Behavior disorder Emotional disability Person with mental illness Person with a psychiatric disability
Retarded Retardate Mentally defective Slow Simple Moron Idiot	Stigmatizing; Implies that a person cannot learn	Developmentally delayed Developmental disability
Mongoloid	Considered offensive	Person with Down syndrome
Stricken/afflicted by MS	Negative connotation of “afflicted,” “stricken”	Person who has multiple sclerosis
CP victim	Cerebral palsy does not make a person a “victim”	Person with cerebral palsy
Epileptic	Not “person-first” language; Stigmatizing	Person with epilepsy Person with seizure disorder
Fit	Reinforces negative stereotypes	Seizure
Birth defect	Implies there was something wrong with the birth	Congenital disability
Deinstitutionalized	Stigmatizing; Groups people into one category Not focused on the individual	Person who used to live in an institution
Midget	Outdated term; Considered offensive	Person of short stature

All currently accepted terms should be used with “people first” language — in other words, “people with…” or “person with….” The exception to this are “deaf people” and “Deaf community,” which are fine.