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Appendix B: Talk about disabilities – Choose the right word

Words can influence and reinforce the public’s perception of people with disabilities. They can create a positive view of people with disabilities, or a negative view. Here are some tips that can help make your communication and interaction with people with all types of disabilities more successful:

• Use “disability” or “disabled,” not “handicap” or “handicapped.”
• Don’t use terms such as “retarded,” “dumb,” “psycho,” “moron” or “crippled.” These words are very demeaning and disrespectful to people with disabilities.
• Remember to put people first. It is proper to say “person with a disability,” rather than “disabled person.”
• If you are not sure about a disability, it’s better to wait until the individual describes their situation to you rather than make your own assumptions. Many types of disabilities have similar characteristics and your assumptions may be wrong.

For more information, visit www.AccessON.ca