What is appropriate language to use when referring to people with a disability?

Language and the words we use change our perceptions and how we interact with each other. While many of us are familiar with the Golden Rule, that encourages treating someone the way you wish to be treated, perhaps we should instead consider treating people as THEY wish to be treated.

Often, a disability need not be recognized or referred to if it has no bearing on the context or situation.  A disability is an attribute just like hair colour, height and other personal characteristics. We don’t automatically refer to these attributes when speaking to/about a person and the same should apply to reference to a person’s disability. However, if you need to refer to the person in relation to their disability, using person-first language is appropriate. For example, a person who is blind rather than a blind person.

In some cases, however, people may prefer to have their disability referred to up front (disabled person rather than person with a disability). This language reflects the person’s values, identity and the ways that the environment impacts on their participation in society. Asking the person what they prefer and respecting this preference is appropriate.