Appendix A
Language that is, and is not, Considered to
Enhance the Dignity of People with Disabilities^100• putting the person first by saying, for example, “people with disabilities” or “women
with disabilities” is now generally considered more appropriate than saying
“disabled persons” or (especially) “the disabled”• people with disabilities are often referred to as “consumers” of disability-related
services• people with a strong commitment to Deaf culture capitalize the word “Deaf”
• some people prefer to be known as “autistic” rather than as a “person with autism”
• “disability” is a more appropriate term than “handicap”
• “non-disabled” is considered more appropriate than “able-bodied”
• refer to a “wheelchair user” rather than to someone “confined” or “bound” to a
wheelchair• usage (in Canada, especially) strongly favours “intellectual disability” or
“developmental disability” as opposed to “mental retardation”• people with a lengthy history of psychiatric treatment or hospitalization often refer
to themselves as “survivors” or “consumer/survivors”. There are several other
terms used to describe people with mental health issues and there has been long
standing debate and no consensus on appropriate terminology. Other terms in
use include: psychiatric survivors, psychiatric disability, mental disabilities, people
with mental illness, people with mental health issues, and madness.• it is not appropriate to speak of someone as “suffering” from a disability or as
“afflicted” with it, or as a “victim of it,” except in some particular circumstances. For
example, people who were affected by Thalidomide refer to themselves as
“Thalidomide victims”• it is appropriate to use words like “see” as you would normally when speaking to a
person who is blind• it is preferable to use the terms “partial vision” or “low vision” rather than “legal
blindness”• the terms “physically challenged” and “mentally challenged” are not in general use
in Canada100 This Appendix provides general information only. Individual persons with disabilities and/or groups of
people with disabilities may prefer the use of specific words or terminology.