Language to Describe Members of the Disability Community

There are many different words and types of language that you can use to describe specific Disabilities, individuals with Disabilities, and the concept of Disability as a whole. When speaking to an individual, it is often best to ask what language they prefer to use when describing themselves. The following terms are different types of language to be aware of and consider.

Person With a Disability (PWD) vs. Disabled Person

There are two major ways people prefer to refer to themselves when talking about Disability (and, in many contexts, the “better” way is debatable):

• Person-first language: “Person with a Disability (PWD)” Person–first language emphasizes the individual before the Disability. Some people consider this to be a “safer” choice when a writer/speaker cannot know what the specific person/group/community they are discussing prefers.
• Identity-first language: “Disabled person” Identity-first places the word “Disabled” first in order to show pride in the identity, as well as to reinforce the idea that Disability is nothing to be ashamed of. Many Disability activism groups have recently started advocating for identity-first language.

Words and Terms Not Commonly Preferred by the Community

While the following descriptors are not preferred by a good portion of the Disabled community, it is important to note that some may still prefer to use one or more of these terms for themselves. People may choose to do so for various reasons (usually dependent on the history of the word/term in question and the personal experiences of the individual). If an individual is comfortable with you using these terms, their choice should be respected.

However, since most of the following terms often have a history of being used in a discriminatory or derogatory manner, the majority of those in Disability activism no longer use or prefer these terms:

• Handicapped
• Handicapable
• Impaired
• Special/special needs
• Differently Abled
• Invalid
• Cripple

Language for Specific Disabilities

Often times specific Disabilities come with their own set of preferred language. Here is the recommended language for describing each of these communities—and what is no longer preferred by many within them:

• D/deaf person or Hard of Hearing
  • Not: Hearing impaired or deaf-mute
• Able-bodied, non-disabled, or Neurotypical
  • Not: Normal or regular
• Little person/person of short stature
  • Not: Dwarf or similar language
• Wheelchair user/Person who uses a wheelchair
  • Not: Wheelchair bound
• Intellectual or Developmental Disability
  • Not: Mental retardation
• Blind People or The Blind Community
  • Not: “The Blind”

Disability Advocacy Concepts/Theories

Internalized Ableism

“Internalized ableism is when we project negative feelings onto ourselves. This happens when we start to believe how society labels disability as inferior. We start to believe the stereotypes. Internalized ableism occurs when we are so heavily influenced by the stereotypes, misconceptions, and discrimination against people with disabilities that we start to believe that our disabilities really do make us inferior.” — Internalized Ableism – Behavioral Health News

“Internalized ableism is when a disabled person discriminates against themself and other disabled people by holding the view that disability is something to be ashamed of or something to hide, or by refusing accessibility or support.” — Internalized Ableism – Whynot.org

Spoon Theory

Created by Christine Miserandino, Spoon Theory is a way to illustrate how energy is often limited by Disability, affecting how you choose to spend and conserve your energy. Spoons represent a unit of energy that can be spent doing a singular task. The idea behind the theory is that those without a Disability have a countless number of spoons, while those who are Disabled have a limited number of spoons to spend each day.  Since it is possible for a Disability to fluctuate and in turn make your energy levels fluctuate, the number of spoons you have each day is subject to change. Because you only have so many, you must make important decisions about which tasks to spend your spoons on. Running out of spoons means the rest of the day’s tasks are left undone. You might try to borrow spoons from tomorrow, but then the next day will be more difficult.

The reason this visualization of energy is done through spoons has to do with the story behind why Christine created spoon theory. To help her friend understand what it was like to have limited energy due to lupus, she grabbed some nearby spoons and explained what is written above. She had her friend pretend to walk through her day with only a limited number of spoons, and soon this friend began to understand Christine’s point. For her full story, click this link: Christine Miserandino’s Spoon Theory

Over time, Spoon Theory has gone from being used to describe living with a particular Disability (primarily lupus and other chronic illnesses) to describing living with many aspects and types of Disabilities. The use of Spoon Theory has become very popular within the Disabled community, with some labeling themselves as “Spoonies”. It serves as a way for Disabled people to visualize their energy levels and to help communicate to others how much energy they have.

Medical/Legal vs. Social vs. Cultural Models

There are many ways to approach and discuss the topic of Disability. The most common ways have been labeled as “models” of Disability, each with a different perspective on it. These include (but are not limited to) the medical/legal, social, and cultural models. Each has potentially positive and negative ways to view Disability. Often times, people will take a few ideals from each model in order to form their own view of Disability. Here is some information about each:

Medical/Legal:

• Views Disability as being a result of someone’s physical and/or mental limitations
• Emphasizes the importance of the biological factors of Disability.
• Often focuses on finding a “solution” or “cure” (or at least a proper treatment) to the Disability in question in order to make a person “normal”
• Disability is viewed as a deficiency or abnormality.
• The one who can promote change in the life of a Disabled person is a medical expert
• This model may be seen negatively for ignoring the impact a non-accommodating society has in Disabled identities. May be regarded as dehumanizing.

Social:

• Sees Disability as a consequence of a non-accommodating society. Environmental and social barriers preventing someone from participating in society are seen as what disables someone, not their health.
• Disability is not innate, but rather derived from interaction between an individual and society.
• Holds the belief that changing the society around us to be more accommodating and accepting is the “remedy” for Disability.
• The one who can promote change in the life of a Disabled person is anyone who works to create an accommodating society.
• This model may be seen negatively for ignoring the biological reality of Disability.

Cultural:

• Views Disability as a valuable part of human diversity. Sees ableism, a lack of accessibility, and personal feelings as what causes barriers for Disabled people.
• Like the social model, it believes ableist ideology and non-accommodating social institutions as the problem.
• Those believed to be able to create change are society, Disability culture, and social movements.
• Aims to change the core beliefs of social institutions so that Disability is no longer regarded as a problem.
• This model may be seen negatively for serving as a reminder of how Disabled people and other minority groups are currently being alienated from the majority groups in society.

More Information on the Medical, Social, and Cultural Models:

University of Oregon – Medical and Social Models

Accessibility.com – Social, Medical, and Cultural Models

Inspiration Porn

Inspiration porn is media that capitalizes on Disabled people doing normal day-to-day tasks by framing these actions as extraordinary in order to inspire non-disabled people. This media is also commonly accompanied by quotes like, “Your excuses are invalid,” speaking directly to the viewer, who is assumed to be non-disabled. The term “inspiration porn” was created by Disability advocate Stella Young. Young has done a TedTalk on this topic, which you can find here: Stella Young TedTalk  

For an excerpt of this TedTalk and some thoughts on inspiration porn from other activists: Disability advocates’s thoughts on inpiration porn

Access Intimacy

“Access Intimacy” was a term coined by Disability justice activist Mia Mingus in her blog Leaving Evidence. In her post “Access Intimacy: The Missing Link”, she describes access intimacy as “…that elusive, hard to describe feeling when someone else “gets” your access needs.  The kind of eerie comfort that your disabled self feels with someone on a purely access level. Sometimes it can happen with complete strangers, Disabled or not, or sometimes it can be built over years.” Later she adds, “Access intimacy is also the intimacy I feel with many other Disabled and sick people who have an automatic understanding of access needs out of our shared similar lived experience of the many different ways ableism manifests in our lives.” 

For the entire blog post on access intimacy, use this link: Access Intimacy: The Missing Link – Mia Mingus

Other Commonly Used Words and Phrases

Assistive Technology (AT)

Assistive technology is a broad term used to describe “any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.” (ATIA)

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) provides some examples on their website:

• AT can be low-tech: communication boards made of cardboard or fuzzy felt.
• AT can be high-tech: special-purpose computers.
• AT can be hardware: prosthetics, mounting systems, and positioning devices.
• AT can be computer hardware: special switches, keyboards, and pointing devices.
• AT can be computer software: screen readers and communication programs.
• AT can be inclusive or specialized learning materials and curriculum aids.
• AT can be specialized curricular software.
• AT can be much more—electronic devices, wheelchairs, walkers, braces, educational software, power lifts, pencil holders, eye-gaze and head trackers, and much more.

Check out ATIA’s website for more information on AT and AT resources.

Alt Text

Alternative (Alt) Text is text that accompanies an image in order to convey the “why” and “what” of an image. Those who are visually impaired and are users of screen reading software can have this text read aloud. It is also useful if an image fails to load, providing an image description in its place. Alt text is usually descriptive, short, and to the point. 

More information on alt text: Accessibility: Image Alt text best practices , Writing Good Alt Text – Harvard  

List of accessibility testing tools for different online formats (that will include alt text suggestions and testing): https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/auto-tools-testing#free

Stimming and Fidgeting

Stims and fidgets are generally repetitive movements or behaviors that alleviate stress and provide comfort. They can help with sensory processing, focus, releasing energy, and emotional regulation.

Almost all people stim in one way or another. Typically, common non-“disruptive” stims in both non-disabled and Disabled people, such as bouncing your foot or tapping your pen, are labeled as fidgeting rather than stimming, while more obvious stims such as arm shaking and rocking back and forth, more common in those with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), are typically labeled as stims. Overall, however, fidgeting falls under the umbrella term “stimming”, as stimming is broader, and both are practically the same thing as they serve the same purpose.

Here are some types of stims and examples of each:

• Motor stimming: These are repetitive motions, like hand-flapping, rocking your body, spinning, jumping, or moving your fingers. Some motor stims may include self-injurious behaviors, like hitting, skin-picking, or scratching.
• Echolalia: Some people stim by repeating meaningless words or phrases.
• Visual stimming: Stimming may also include staring at stimuli like lights.
• “Non-functional” behaviors: This may include continuously adjusting objects.

Stimming: What It Is And Why People Do It – Health.com

Special Interests and Hyperfixations

Both special interests and hyperfixations involve being interested in something to an intense degree, but for different periods of time. Special interests tend to be an intense interest in a topic that can last for multiple years or even for life. Hyperfixations are often shorter lived, about a few years at a time.

It is important to note that the intensity of an interest and how long said interest lasts varies from person to person. Special interests and hyperfixations are most commonly experienced by those with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although one type of interest is not always exclusive to either ADHD or ASD, it is common that those with ASD have special interests while those with ADHD have hyperfixations.

Unfortunately, we have not found any reliable sources on special interests and hyperfixations. If you come across one, feel free to share it with us!

 

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