How to Write About Disability

Respect individual or community preferences regarding person-first or identity-first language. Person-first language literally places the word person first, e.g. "person with Down Syndrome." Identity-first language uses the disability as an ordinary adjective, e.g. "blind person." When writing about an individual, use the language that they prefer, and when writing about a community, use the community's preferred language.

• Ask an individual which language they prefer.
• The Deaf, Blind, and Autistic communities prefer identity-first language.^[5][6]
• The intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) community, excluding autism, prefers person-first language.^[7]
• For a community with no clear preference, try using a mix throughout your piece (e.g. both "disabled people" and "people with disabilities").

Capitalize the name of a disability to show belonging to a community.^[8] A deaf person is simply mostly or completely unable to hear, while a Deaf person accepts their disability as part of their identity and is part of the Deaf culture/community.^[9] Capitalize the disability to show that someone belongs to a culture (e.g. "Tyrell is Blind") or to refer to a community (e.g. "Rainbows are a common motif in Autistic culture").

• Disabilities that involve the last name of the person who discover them are usually capitalized.

Don't use slurs or outdated terms. Some language has been turned into an insult, or used in dehumanizing ways. These words have gained derogatory connotations and are best not to use.^[10][11][12]

• Midget/dwarf
• Invalid, lame
• Cripple(d)
• Defect, deformity, affliction
• Mongoloid
• Crazy, insane, maniac
• Spaz
• Handicapped
• Ret*rd(ed)
• Idiot, moron, dumb, or any term that is considered an insult in popular culture

Avoid melodramatic language of pain, suffering, or doom. Most people with disabilities are ordinary people—they get up every morning, eat cereal, travel to school or work, and pass through an ordinary day. Their disabilities do not make their life unlivable. Stick to factual language, such as "Ahmed has an anxiety disorder." Avoid terms like...

• "Suffers from"^[13]
• "Confined/Bound to a wheelchair" (also often inaccurate; some wheelchair users can stand or walk short distances)
• "Victim of"^[14]
• "Will never"
• "Stricken by"

Be consistent with names. If you refer to non-disabled people by last name, then refer to a disabled person by last name.^[15] If you refer to everyone by first name, then do the same for people with disabilities. This shows that you respect them as much as you do other people.

• For example, if you refer to Angela Ramirez as "Ramirez" and Ryan Black as "Black," then you would refer to Jimmy McCoy as "McCoy," not "Jimmy" or "Jim."
• If you refer to Angela Ramirez as "Angela" and Ryan Black as "Ryan," then "Jimmy" or "Jim" would be appropriate.

Watch your sources. A common quip in the disability community is "Nothing about us without us is for us," and non-disabled people should not be the sole authorities on disabled people. Ask real people with disabilities for their thoughts and opinions.

• A good organization has many people with disabilities at all levels of membership, and elevates instead of suppresses their voices. Autism Speaks is a high-profile example of an organization that does not do this.

Look out for inspiration porn. A distorted form of pity, inspiration porn glorifies a disabled person for being able to do everyday things (e.g. "it's so incredible that she can walk around on the prosthetic legs she's been using for 15 years"). The purpose is to inspire people without disabilities, or to belittle their "excuses" for not doing something a disabled person can achieve.

• Living with a disability isn't automatically courageous, special, or superhuman.

Do not assume that disability can be overcome. Disabilities are often lifelong, and a disabled person will experience challenges throughout their lives. Individual problems can be overcome, but disability is usually for life.

• People cannot "recover" from lifelong disabilities; however, they can adapt and gain new skills. It is possible to be successful and disabled at the same time.

Recognize that disability can vary from day to day. Just like non-disabled people, disabled people have good days and bad days. Someone who uses a wheelchair one day might use a cane the next. This does not mean they are faking it or "getting better," just that this particular day happens to be easier.

• Exhaustion, seizures, stress, how hard they pushed themselves yesterday, and many other things can play a role in how their disability manifests itself.
• The spoon theory describes how many people with disabilities, from chronic pain to depression, need to budget their energy.^[17]

Don't portray disabled people as burdensome or undesirable. People with disabilities can be good friends, sons, daughters, lovers, siblings, and spouses. Many are capable of working. All are worthwhile human beings.

• Befriending or falling in love with a disabled person isn't an act of charity. The person with a disability has something to contribute to the relationship.
• If a disabled child is murdered, treat it the same way you'd treat the murder of a non-disabled child. Don't focus on how "difficult" it was to live with the victim, or portray it as a mercy killing or understandable crime.^[18]