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Disability Etiquette in the Workplace
It is important to more than 43 million Americans with disabilities that they be portrayed realistically and spoken to respectfully. People with disabilities prefer that you focus on their individuality, not their disability, unless of course, it is the topic about which you are writing or speaking.
For example, the words ‘disabled people’ define people as disabled first and people second. The term "people with disabilities" is the preferred usage since it stresses the humanity of individuals.
Tips for Speaking To or About People With Disabilities:
Don't Use
- the deaf
- the vision impaired
- the disabled
- polio victim
- a victim of AIDS
- bound/confined to a wheelchair
- homebound employment
- victim
- crippled
- invalid
Use these "People-First" terms instead
- people who are deaf
- people with vision impairments
- people with disabilities
- had polio
- a person with AIDS
- uses a wheelchair
- employed in the home
- person who has or experienced
- person with a disability
- person who has a disability caused by
In addition to the previous appropriate terms, be careful not to imply that people with disabilities are to be pitied, feared, or ignored, or that they are somehow more heroic, courageous, patient, or ‘special’ than others. Never use the term ‘normal’ in contrast.
When talking about people with disabilities, always choose words that carry nonjudgmental connotations and are accurate descriptions.
Finally, remember that a person with a disability is a person like anyone else. If you don’t know what to say or do, let the person who has the disability help put you at ease and set the pace for talking.
Information acquired from
Center for Disability Information & Referral |
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Copyright © 2010 Brevard Business Leadership Network
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