Special Needs Or Disabled: Which Term Should You Use
About 54 million Americans have a disability, such as Down syndrome, Cerebral palsy, or autism.
As our societys understanding of these conditions grows, so do the open discussions around special needs etiquette. Experts and those within the special needs community agree that the vernacular used when referring to these conditions is changing, but there are still differing opinions.
We recognize that regardless of opinions, people of all races, ages, sexes, genders, and abilities should be treated equally and without stigma. Unfortunately, stigmas still remain around the special needs community and people still use incorrect terminology.
To help dispel this and to educate our audience, Aeroflow Urology asked individuals with disabilities and individuals with loved ones who have special needs which terms they prefer and why.
The Social Model Of Disability & Language
Developed by people with disabilities, this model concludes that individuals are disabled by the barriers that society inflicts, not by their impairment.
Language plays an essential role in this model as using the correct language helps change cultural assumptions and encourages the use of positive terms over negative and medical terminology.
Some may not relate to the social model of disability, so again, it is important to have conversations with the people with disabilities in your life to understand which terms they consider appropriate.
Why You Shouldnt Say Differently Abled Anymore
If youre sensing a theme, youre on to something. Despite what we say the motivations are, these euphemistic terms serve two purposes. People use them to try to eliminate potentially offensive terms. But the main purpose is to eliminate the discomfort of the group doing the naming.
Besides, the term differently abled doesnt describe what its meant to anyway. The term disabled means having a physical or mental impairment that limits movements, senses, or activities. There are no connotations of lesser or the condescension that accompanies terms like handicapable.
As Stephen Stern, professor at Gettysburg College, explains:
I am learning disabled. I am not differently abled. I have heard the story of a colleague at another institution who after suffering a stroke lost his sense of spatial awareness…But after the stroke, he suddenly found that he has computational capacities he had never before possessed. He could do quantitative work he had been incapable of before. This person became differently abled. That is not true of me.
Disabilities dont add a fun level of complexity to life. In a world that is ableist designed without real consideration towards the differently abled they make life harder. As disability activist and Paralympic Medalist Elizabeth Wright says, terms like differently abled take the disabled persons daily struggles, that are caused by ableist society, and attempts to turn these experiences into something positive and uplifting.
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Why Using The Correct Terminology Matters
Using incorrect terms when referring to a person with special needs is outdated and offensive. People with disabilities are people and their wishes and needs are to be respected, just as people without disabilities expect theirs to be.
While there are clear guidelines of what is acceptable, appropriate, and correct, there are still some differing opinions.
Appendix Chow To Refer To People With Disabilities
The terms in the following list are the preferred words used to portray people withdisabilities in a positive manner. This list is adapted from Guidelines forReporting and Writing about People with Disabilities from the Researchand Training Center on Independent Living . With a few modifications the text is the same as in theGuidelines.
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Do Not Mention Someones Disability Unless It Is Essential To The Story
The fact that someone is blind or uses a wheelchair may or may not be relevant to the article you are writing. Only identify a person as having a disability if this information is essential to the story. For example, say Board president Chris Jones called the meeting to order. Do not say, Board president Chris Jones, who is blind, called the meeting to order. Its ok to identify someones disability if it is essential to the story. For example, Amy Jones, who uses a wheelchair, spoke about her experience with using accessible transportation.
Collective Terms And Labels
The word disabled is a description not a group of people. Use disabled people not the disabled as the collective term.
However, many deaf people whose first language is BSL consider themselves part of the deaf community they may describe themselves as Deaf, with a capital D, to emphasise their deaf identity.
Avoid medical labels. They say little about people as individuals and tend to reinforce stereotypes of disabled people as patients or unwell.
Dont automatically refer to disabled people in all communications many people who need disability benefits and services dont identify with this term. Consider using people with health conditions or impairments if it seems more appropriate.
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American Sign Language /signer/interpreter
Background:American Sign Language is a complete language that utilizes signs made by moving the hands combined with facial expressions and postures of the body, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Many people in North America who are deaf or hard of hearing use it as a primary means of communication.
The terms signer and interpreter often are used interchangeably but mean different things. A signer is a person who may be able to communicate conversationally with deaf persons but who may not necessarily possess the skills and expertise to accurately interpret complex dialogue or information, according to the . To become an interpreter, an individual must not only display bilingual and bicultural proficiency but also have the ability to mediate meanings across languages and cultures, both simultaneously and consecutively. This takes years of intensive practice and professional training.
NCDJ Recommendation: Specify American Sign Language on first reference, capitalizing all three words. ASL is acceptable on second reference. Use interpreter only for those who have completed advanced training. The Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf has a searchable database of registered interpreters.
AP style: Not addressed
See also Deaf
National Center On Disability And Journalism
You can also
As language, perceptions and social mores change rapidly, it is becoming increasingly difficult for journalists and other communicators to figure out how to refer to people with disabilities. Even the term disability is not universally accepted. This style guide, which covers dozens of words and terms commonly used when referring to disability, can help. The guide was developed by the National Center on Disability and Journalism at Arizona State Universitys Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and was last updated in the summer of 2021.
First, we would like to offer some basic guidelines:
Of course, our sources dont always speak the way we write. Thats OK. You may end up using a derogatory term in a direct quote, but be certain that its fundamental to the story. Otherwise, paraphrase and use a more acceptable term.
In this guide, we urge reporters and other communications professionals to refer to a disability only when its relevant to the story being told. But what is relevant is not always clear. Should a story about residents complaining about noisy airplanes flying over their houses note that one of the residents who is complaining uses a wheelchair? Should someone who is blind be identified as such in a story about people who have been stranded while hiking and had to be rescued?
Amy Silverman, NCDJ advisory board member
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Blind/legally Blind/limited Vision/low Vision/partially Sighted/visually Impaired
Background: Total blindness is the complete lack of perception of either light or form. However, only about 15% of those with eye conditions are totally blind. Legally blind is a broad term for various eye conditions but generally refers to someone whose visual acuity is 20/200 or less even with corrective glasses or contact lenses. Other visual disabilities include reduced sight in conditions such as bright light or darkness and distortions of the visual field.
In general, blind or legally blind is acceptable for people with complete or almost complete vision loss. For others who have a loss of vision, the American Foundation for the Blind uses the term low vision, which it describes as uncorrectable vision loss that interferes with daily activities. The foundation says that other terms commonly used to describe vision loss partial sight,partial blindness and poor vision are no longer in general use.
The foundation also uses the term visually impaired, but some object to the use of the words impair or impairment when describing a disability.
Because these terms tend to be imprecise, consider asking how the visual condition affects acuity. For example, a person may be able to describe having low central or peripheral vision.
People With Speech Impairments
A person, who has had a stroke, is severely hard of hearing, uses voice prosthesis or has a stammer or other type of speech impairment may be difficult to understand.
- Give the person your full, unhurried attention and speak in your regular tone of voice. Dont interrupt or finish the persons sentences. If you have trouble understanding, dont nod. Just ask them to repeat. In most cases the person wont mind and will appreciate your effort to hear what they have to say.
- If you are not sure whether you have understood, you can repeat for verification.
- If, after trying, you still cannot understand the person, ask them to write it down or to suggest another way of facilitating communication.
- Keep your manner encouraging rather than correcting.
- A quiet environment makes communication easier.
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How To Talk About Mental Illness
The language people use when communicating about mental ill-health plays a big role in keeping alive stereotypes, myths, and stigma. It is important that when discussing mental ill-health, people avoid using stigmatising terminology and language.
We would prefer you to use the following terms: A person is living with or has a psychosocial disability, or John is living with or has mental ill-health, or Jane is living with or has a mental illness.
Psychosocial disability is an internationally recognised term under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and relates to the social consequences of disability the effects on someones ability to participate fully in life as a result of mental ill-health. Psychosocial disability means that how you think, feel, and interact with other people cause you to have barriers to fully participating in life.
Acceptable And Unacceptable Disability Terminology
Using acceptable terminology to talk about disability is not merely about being politically correct it is about removing barriers, changing assumptions and creating an inclusive environment that welcomes all.
As an accessible activity centre that welcomes those of all ages and abilities, here at Calvert Trust Exmoor, we are committed to ensuring everyone has a better understanding of inclusive language and behaviour.
We understand that, for many, using the wrong language comes from being unaware rather than being willfully hurtful so, it is important that everyone does what they can to educate themselves and help spread awareness of the proper vocabulary to use when discussing disabilities.
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Choosing Words For Talking About Disability
In daily life, how should we talk about disability? What words should we use to refer to people with disabilities? Is saying “the disabled” or “disabled people” acceptable, for example? Questions like these are important, particularly because disability represents a form of diversity, similar to one’s gender, race, ethnicity, social class, religion and so on. Knowing how to sensitively refer to members of diverse groups is also important. Let’s begin by defining some terms.
First, what does disability itself mean? A disability is a condition or quality linked to a particular person. A disability is present when activities usually performed by people are in some way restricted. Thus, someone with congenital blindness has a disability, as does someone who must use a wheelchair for mobility purposes. Other disabilities are not necessarily apparent, for example, acquired brain injury or chronic depression.
When referring to disability, the American Psychological Association urges that it is often best to “put the person first.” In practice, this means that instead of referring to a “disabled person,” use “person with a disability.” Why? The reasoning goes like this: Phrases like “disabled person” or “amputee” focus on a condition more than the person who is affected by it. Using phrases like “person with a disability” and “individual with an amputation” emphasizes the person and not his or her condition.
Treatment/treatment Center/rehab Center/detox Center
Background: Treatment is defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as the use of any planned, intentional intervention in the health, behavior, personal and/or family life of an individual with alcoholism or another drug dependency designed to achieve and maintain sobriety, physical and mental health and maximum functional ability. A treatment center is an establishment usually run by psychiatric or medical professionals.
NCDJ Recommendation:Treatment is an acceptable term for medical interventions, and treatment center is acceptable for the establishment in which such practices take place. Use treatment center in place of rehab or detox center. A person enrolled in a treatment center should be referred to as a patient.
AP style: Not addressed
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The Language Of Disability And Political Correctness
The way we talk to or about people is important because it reflects our attitudes and assumptions. Ideally we should refer to people in the language that they prefer. However, terminology changes from time to time because certain words and phrases take on pejorative connotations. For instance, the word spasticity which is a perfectly acceptable medical term referring to a constant and unwanted contraction of one or more muscle groups as a result of a stroke or other injury, became used firstly to refer to people with cerebral palsy but then became used as an insult. It is now only used in medical contexts.
Unfortunately such downgrading of terms is a phenomena we have to live with and so new words and phrases are coined not so much as a matter of political correctness or fashion, but because the old ones can no longer be used to reflect respect.
In Australia people with disability want to be acknowledged as people first.
It should be noted however, that the same terminology does not necessarily apply in other countries. In the UK, for instance, they prefer the phrase disabled people.
Use of the following terms and phrases is correct at the time of writing:
What Is A Differently Abled Person
According to PhraseFinder, the term differently abled was created by the U.S. Democratic National Committee as an alternative to handicapped. Dating back to the 1980s, the website goes on to say that:
The motivation seems to have been both a genuine attempt to view the people previously called handicapped in a more positive light and also a need to be seen as politically correct. However, some have seen the label as a euphemistic attempt to disguise the difficulties experienced by people who have serious physical or mental handicaps.
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Disabled People Vs People With Disabilities
In New Zealand we use the term disabled people. During the development of the New Zealand Disability Strategy there was much discussion and consultation on the language to be used and in the end ‘disabled people’ was chosen- rather than ‘person with disability’, ‘people with disabilities’, ‘people with experience of disability’ etc. The reasoning was that:
- people are people first
- they have particular impairments or conditions, that is, they are people with impairments e.g. a person with a vision impairment, or a hearing loss, or limited mobility.
- attitudinal and physical barriers in the world we all live in disable them
- therefore, they are disabled people . ‘Disabled’ refers to things outside the person that impact on them and put barriers in the way of their participation.
This use is explained in the New Zealand Disability Strategy and is strongly supported by DPA. However, individuals and groups have continued to use the language they feel most comfortable with e.g. people with an intellectual disability or, even more preferred, people with learning disabilities. And it was ‘people with disabilities’ that the disabled people’s organisations present at the United Nations were comfortable with. However, as people come to understand the reason above they tend to feel more comfortable with ‘disabled people’.
People Who Are Hard Of Hearing Or Deaf
The term, “hard of hearing”, is often used to describe people with any degree of hearing loss, from mild to profound, including those who are deaf and those who are hard of hearing.
As already stated, Deaf people who identify as part of the Deaf community understand themselves as having their own unique language and culture, and do not always identify as disabled. All people who use New Zealand Sign Language identify themselves as being Deaf.
NZSL is an entirely different language from English, with a syntax all of its own. Speech reading is difficult for people who are deaf if their first language is sign language because the majority of sounds in English are formed inside the mouth, and its hard to speech read a second language.
People who are hard of hearing however, communicate in English. They use some hearing but may rely on amplification and/or seeing the speakers lips to communicate effectively.
To facilitate lip reading, face into the light and keep your hands and other objects away from your mouth. Dont turn your back or walk about while talking. If you look or move away, the person might assume that the conversation is over.
People with cochlear implants, like other people who are hard of hearing, will usually inform you what works best for them.
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