Language & Terminology: A Plain-Language Guide
Language shapes how we think about disability. This page explains key terms and why they matter.
Why Language Matters
Section titled “Why Language Matters”The words we use about disability can:
- Build dignity or reinforce shame
- Center our agency or treat us as helpless
- Recognize our diversity or erase important differences
- Reflect our values or reinforce ableism
Disability language is still changing and debated. There’s no single “correct” language—but there are thoughtful choices.
Core Terms Explained
Section titled “Core Terms Explained”Disability vs. Impairment
Section titled “Disability vs. Impairment”Disability = The social disadvantage created when a society fails to include people with different bodies and minds.
Impairment = A particular physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health difference.
Real-world difference:
- Impairment: I use a wheelchair (physical difference)
- Disability: I can’t get into buildings without ramps (social barrier)
Why it matters: This separation (called the “social model”) reminds us that disability is not something wrong with individual bodies—it’s something wrong with inaccessible societies. We can change societies. We can’t change bodies—and we shouldn’t have to.
Disabled People vs. People with Disabilities
Section titled “Disabled People vs. People with Disabilities”We use: “Disabled people”
We avoid: “People with disabilities” (sounds like disability is something you carry around)
Why: Identity-first language centers disability as an identity, like “Black people” or “queer people.” Many disabled people feel this is more empowering and accurate.
Note: Some disabled people use person-first language (“person with a disability”). This wiki uses identity-first because it’s more common in disability justice spaces, but respect individual preferences.
Disability Types & Communities
Section titled “Disability Types & Communities”Physical disabilities — Mobility disabilities, chronic pain, spinal cord injuries, etc.
Deaf — Capital D often used by culturally Deaf people (Deaf is an identity and culture)
Hard of Hearing — Hearing loss but not culturally Deaf
Blind — Complete or near-complete vision loss
Low Vision — Significant vision loss but some sight remains
Neurodivergent — Different neurotype (ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.)
Psychosocial disabilities — Mental health disabilities, psychiatric disabilities
Intellectual/Developmental disabilities — Intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy affecting cognition, etc.
Invisible/Hidden disabilities — Not visibly apparent (chronic illness, mental health, etc.)
Episodic disabilities — Symptoms come and go (some mental health conditions, chronic illness, etc.)
Multiple disabilities — Having more than one disability (very common)
Important Distinctions
Section titled “Important Distinctions”Neurodivergent vs. Neurodiverse
Section titled “Neurodivergent vs. Neurodiverse”Neurodivergent = A person with a differently wired brain (ADHD, autistic, dyslexic, etc.)
Neurodiverse = A population or group with many different neurotypes (a classroom is neurodiverse; an autistic person is neurodivergent)
Medical Terminology vs. Community Terminology
Section titled “Medical Terminology vs. Community Terminology”Medical (clinical): “The patient suffers from bipolar disorder”
Community (empowering): “I’m a person with bipolar disorder” or “I experience bipolar”
Medical: “Confined to a wheelchair”
Community: “Wheelchair user” or “uses a wheelchair”
Why: Medical language often assumes suffering, tragedy, or deficit. Community language is more neutral or empowering.
”Special Needs” vs. Disability
Section titled “”Special Needs” vs. Disability”We use: “Disability” or specific terms
We avoid: “Special needs”
Why: “Special needs” is vague, infantilizing, and hides the reality of disability. It sounds like we need something extra. Actually, we need the same things as everyone else—just accessed differently.
Everyday Language Guide
Section titled “Everyday Language Guide”When talking about disabled people:
✓ Good: “She’s a wheelchair user” | “He’s blind”
✗ Bad: “She’s confined to a wheelchair” | “He’s visually impaired”
✓ Good: “Disabled people” or “people with disabilities”
✗ Bad: “The disabled” or “handicapped”
✓ Good: “Non-disabled people”
✗ Bad: “Normal people” or “healthy people” (implies disabled people are abnormal/unhealthy)
✓ Good: “Accessible” or “Accessible design”
✗ Bad: “Disabled-accessible” (accessibility is for everyone)
✓ Good: “Deaf and hard of hearing” or “d/Deaf”
✗ Bad: “Deaf-mute” (offensive, inaccurate—deafness doesn’t affect speech)
✓ Good: “They have autism” or “They’re autistic”
✗ Bad: “They suffer from autism” or “They’re afflicted with autism”
✓ Good: “Assistive technology” or “mobility aid”
✗ Bad: “Contraption” or “device for the handicapped”
✓ Good: “Accommodation” (a change that helps someone participate)
✗ Bad: “Special treatment” or “lowering standards”
✓ Good: “Uses AAC” (augmentative and alternative communication)
✗ Bad: “Can’t talk” (AAC users CAN communicate—through different methods)
Words to Avoid (And Why)
Section titled “Words to Avoid (And Why)”| Word | Why avoid | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| ”Suffers from” | Assumes tragedy | ”Has,” “is,” “experiences" |
| "Confined to” | Implies imprisonment | ”Wheelchair user,” “uses a wheelchair" |
| "Normal” | Implies disabled is abnormal | ”Non-disabled" |
| "Healthy” | Implies disability = sick | ”Non-disabled" |
| "Handicapped” | Outdated, offensive | ”Disabled" |
| "Cripple” | Slur, historically used to demean | ”Disabled" |
| "Special needs” | Vague, infantilizing | ”Disability,” specific term |
| ”Burden” | Dehumanizing | (Don’t describe people as burdens) |
| “Inspiration porn” | Exploitative | (Avoid praising disabled people for existing) |
| “Mute” for d/Deaf | Inaccurate | ”Deaf,” “hard of hearing" |
| "Deaf and dumb” | Slur | ”Deaf,” “deaf and blind" |
| "Dependent” | Implies weakness | ”Interdependent,” specific support needs |
Different Languages, Different Terms
Section titled “Different Languages, Different Terms”Disability terminology varies by:
- Country (Australia says “impairment,” UK says “disability”)
- Region (Global South often has different frameworks)
- Cultural context (Some cultures don’t use “disability” at all)
- Community (Deaf culture uses Capital D; autistic self-advocates use different language than medical professionals)
This wiki includes multiple terminologies and notes regional differences.
Slurs vs. Reclaimed Language
Section titled “Slurs vs. Reclaimed Language”Some disabled people reclaim words that were used as slurs:
- Some blind people reclaim “blind” (once used mockingly)
- Some autistic people reclaim “autistic” (once used as diagnosis/deficit)
- Some people reclaim “crip” or “cripple” (historical slur, now used by some disabled people as empowering term)
Rule: If someone reclaims a word for their own community, respect that. But don’t use reclaimed language about other people unless they’ve explicitly said it’s okay.
Language Evolving
Section titled “Language Evolving”Disability language is always changing:
- What’s current now may be outdated in 5 years
- Different communities have different preferences (no universal rule)
- Follow the lead of disabled people (not non-disabled people deciding language for us)
This wiki will update terminology as communities evolve. If you see outdated language, let us know.
How This Wiki Uses Language
Section titled “How This Wiki Uses Language”In this wiki, you’ll see:
- Identity-first language (“disabled people,” “blind people,” “Deaf people”)
- Specific terminology (not “special needs”)
- Action language (not “suffers from”)
- Global terminology (noting regional differences, like “impairment” in Australia)
- Community language (reflecting how disabled people actually talk about ourselves)
Quick Reference: Terms to Use
Section titled “Quick Reference: Terms to Use”About disability in general:
- Disabled people
- Disability
- Accessibility
- Accessible design
- Accommodation
- Assistive technology
About specific disabilities:
- Deaf/hard of hearing (capital D for Deaf culture)
- Blind/low vision
- Wheelchair user
- Neurodivergent (ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.)
- Psychosocial disability
- Invisible disability
- Chronic illness
About the people:
- Disabled person
- Blind person
- Deaf person
- Autistic person
- Person with chronic illness
Resources for Deeper Learning
Section titled “Resources for Deeper Learning”- Disability Visibility Project — Essays by disabled people about language and identity
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network — Language guide by autistic self-advocates
- National Association of the Deaf — Deaf terminology
- Disability Justice Collections — Frameworks and language from disability justice organizers
Your Questions Answered
Section titled “Your Questions Answered”Q: Is there a “right” way to talk about disability?
A: No universal rule, but there are thoughtful choices. Generally: identity-first, action-based language, avoiding medical/deficit framing.
Q: What if I make a mistake?
A: Listen, apologize briefly, and change. Don’t center your hurt feelings over disabled people’s experience.
Q: Can I use these terms about other people?
A: Use self-identified language when possible. If unsure, ask. If someone doesn’t identify as disabled, don’t call them disabled.
Q: Does this apply globally?
A: Language preferences vary by region and culture. This guide focuses on English-language disability justice terminology. Other languages have their own frameworks.
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “Contribute to This Page”Have lived experience or expertise that could strengthen this page? We especially welcome perspectives on models not well represented here, including those from the Global South and Indigenous communities.
This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.