Tips for Interacting with People with Disabilities

Language Issues

• Choose disability terms that describe diversity in accurate and respectful ways.

• Disability-specific language should be precise, objective, and neutral in order to avoid reinforcing negative values, biases, and stereotypes.

• Avoid referring to people by their disability i.e.,“an epileptic.” A person is not a condition. Rather, they are “people with epilepsy” or “people with disabilities.”

• People are not “bound” or “confined”to wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are used to increase mobility and enhance freedom. It is more accurate to say,“wheelchair user” or “person who uses a wheelchair.”

• It is not necessary to avoid these expressions

  • When around people who are blind: “Did you see that game?” “See you later.”

  • or around people who are deaf: “Did you hear about John?”

  • or around people who use wheelchairs: “Let’s walk to the store.” “Run over to the dorm to pick it up.”