REALIZE
Inclusion. Knowledge. Opportunity.

Use of language about disability
The words we use matter - they can empower or weaken those who we are talking to and working with. Here are some tips on how to use language to engage and support.
Certain terms can be negative, try to use language that respects children with disabilities as active and valued members of society. The general rule of thumb is to focus on the person as an individual, not the condition they experience.
Avoid: (the) handicapped, (the) disabled
Use: people with disabilities
Avoid: afflicted by, suffers from, victim of
Use: has [name of condition or impairment]
Avoid: confined to a wheelchair, wheelchair-bound
Use: wheelchair user
Avoid: mentally handicapped, mentally defective, retarded, subnormal
Use: with a learning disability (singular) with learning disabilities (plural)
Avoid: cripple, invalid
Use: person with a disability
Avoid: spastic
Use: person with cerebral palsy
Avoid: able-bodied
Use: non-disabled
Avoid: mental patient, insane, mad
Use: person with a mental health condition
Avoid: deaf and dumb; deaf mute
Use: deaf, user of Sign Language, person with a hearing impairment
Avoid: the blind
Use: people with visual impairments; blind people; blind and partially sighted people
Avoid: an epileptic, diabetic, depressive, and so on
Use: person with epilepsy, diabetes, depression or someone who has epilepsy, diabetes, depression
Avoid: dwarf; midget
Use: someone with restricted growth or short stature
Avoid: fits, spells, attacks
Use: seizures