Words with Dignity
People with a disability should be described in words and expressions that portray them with dignity. The following guidelines and terms are supported by some 200 organizations that represent or are associated with Canadians with a disability.
The following terms are suggested to describe persons with a disability:
Instead of...disabled, handicapped,or cripples.
Use...person(s) with a disability
Instead of...crippled by, afflicted with, suffering from, victim of, deformed.
Use...Person who has or Person with....
Instead of...lame
Use...Person who is mobility impaired.
Instead of...confined, bound, restricted to or depended on a wheelchair.
Use...Person who uses a wheelchair.
Instead of...deaf and mute, deaf mute, hearing impaired.
Use...Person who is deaf, hard of hearing.
Instead of...Retarded, mentally retarded.
Use...Person with a developmental disability.
