¶ Language, Terminology, and Identity
Language around disability is constantly shifting.
What feels respectful to one person may feel erasing or pathologizing to another.
This page doesn’t give a single rule.
Instead, it offers tools for listening, asking, and adjusting.
- Person-first: “person with a disability,” “person with autism”
- Identity-first: “disabled person,” “autistic person”
Many disabled people prefer identity-first language because:
- Disability is part of who we are, not an object we “have.”
- It resists the idea that disability must be mentally separated from personhood to be respected.
- It connects us to a political community (“disabled people”) rather than isolating individuals.
Others prefer person-first because:
- They were taught it as respectful or professional
- They see disability as one trait among many
- Their cultural or family context favors that wording
Best practice:
Use the language a person uses for themselves. When speaking generally on this wiki, we usually say “disabled people.”
¶ Outdated and harmful terms
Avoid terms like:
- “Handicapped” (except in specific legal/historical quotes)
- “Differently abled,” “special needs,” “invalid”
- “Crazy,” “psycho,” “lunatic,” when used to insult or dehumanize
- “Wheelchair-bound” (use “wheelchair user” instead)
These words have histories tied to segregation, institutionalization, and eugenics.
¶ Reclaimed slurs and in-community language
Some disabled people reclaim terms like:
- crip / crippling / crip time
- mad
- lame (in some contexts)
- Other language specific to Deaf, autistic, or neurodivergent communities
These words can be powerful when used by and among community members, and harmful when used against us.
General guideline:
- If you’re not part of the group, be cautious about using reclaimed slurs yourself.
- Don’t police how disabled people describe our own experiences.
Medical systems use terms like:
- “Major depressive disorder”
- “Generalized anxiety”
- “Schizophrenia”
- “Intellectual disability”
People may use:
- “Mad,” “neurodivergent,” “psych survivor”
- “ADHD’er,” “autistic,” “chronically ill,” “spoonie”
- “Learning disabled,” “intellectually disabled,” or other specific labels
Both kinds of language can be useful in different contexts (for example, diagnosis for benefits vs. self-description in community). What matters is respecting people’s choices.
- Listen first. Notice the words people use about themselves.
- Ask if it’s relevant. “Is there any language you prefer I use about your disability or access needs?”
- Apologize briefly if you mess up. Correct yourself, don’t over-explain, and move on.
- Avoid making disability unspeakable. Saying “disabled” out loud is not rude; pretending it isn’t there often is.
Language:
- Shapes policy (who counts as disabled)
- Guides research (what questions are asked)
- Influences self-worth and internalized ableism
- Signals who is centered in a space
Arguments about language are not just “semantics.” They’re about power, history, and who gets to define reality.
At the same time, this wiki tries not to get stuck in perfectionism. Clear information and access to resources matter too.