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THE GEOGRAPHY OF LANGUAGE


THE GEOGRAPHY OF LANGUAGE


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Words are powerful! The words we choose and the way we use them often depend on
the culture and people around us. Think about how you change words and tone when
you’re talking to your grandmother versus when you’re chatting with your friends
at a party. Different, huh?

Being sensitive to these differences is critical when talking about disability
and how we can be more inclusive with our language. The National Center on
Disability and Journalism created a helpful style guide that describes some of
the history behind disability language and how it looks in other cultures and
countries.

The American Psychological Association agrees that language about disability is
evolving and stresses that “the overall principle for using disability language
is to maintain the integrity (worth and dignity) of all individuals as human
beings.”

Language Across the Globe
It’s not surprising that the words we use to describe disability look different
depending on your region. We have a great opportunity to stretch our inclusive
vocabulary as we connect with others from different cultures.

Let’s take a look at a few global disability terms and how they are used:

Disabled People/People with Disabilities
In the United States, both terms are used but some disability communities prefer
one over the other. In Asia, many prefer the term “people with disabilities,”
but this may vary depending on the region. In Great Britain, many prefer the
term “disabled people.” With these regional differences, it’s a great idea to
ask when the opportunity is there.

Examples:

 * People with disabilities are hired at disproportionately low rates compared
   to those who do not have disabilities. 
 * Disabled people have the same rights to access as those who do not have
   disabilities.

Someone Who Uses a Wheelchair
In most cultures, the term “wheelchair user” is preferable to “wheelchair-bound”
or “confined to a wheelchair.” This small change in words recognizes that people
are not bound by their mobility device, but free to move.

Examples: 

 * Gretchen, our new hire, is a wheelchair user, so be sure the ramp is up to
   code. 
 * Our colleague, Amar, is a wheelchair user. What accommodations do you have
   ready for him when we visit the plant?

Able-Bodied
This term implies that people with disabilities don’t have able bodies. Most
cultures prefer more neutral terms such as “non-disabled” or “not living with a
disability.”

Examples:

 * If you’re not living with a disability, you might wonder why the PowerPoint
   was adjusted, but as a blind man, I can assure you that I appreciate the
   changes. 
 * Those of you who are non-disabled, please take care to push in your chairs at
   the end of the day so we can accommodate wheelchair-users.

More Resources
If you want to take a deeper dive, here are a few resources that can add to the
bigger picture:

 * The UK’s guide to inclusive language
 * Canada’s accessibility glossary
 * The United Nations' guide focused on Asia and the South Pacific

Take Away: It’s helpful to see the diversity and the weight that words carry! It
poses a unique opportunity to challenge our perceptions about disability and pay
attention to how geography can shape the words we use.


FEATURE TOPIC


VIDEO: NAVIGATING THE DISABILITY LANGUAGE LANDSCAPE

Many of us struggle with how to talk about disability ...
read more


VIDEO: THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE IDENTITY

The disability language conundrum continues ...
read more
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THE GEOGRAPHY OF LANGUAGE

Words are powerful! The words we choose ...
read more
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