The Purple Parade Activation Guide
Inclusive Language Tips
When referring to people with disabilities, choose words that reflect dignity and respect. Use language that describes the person’s disability without defining the individual as his or her disability. The following are just some examples.
| Appropriate | Inappropriate |
|---|---|
| People / persons with disabilities, the disability community | The disabled, the handicapped, disabled person |
| Person who has… | Invalid, victim of, afflicted with, suffers from… |
| People without disabilities, able-bodied | Normal person |
| Children with special needs | Disabled children |
| Persons with physical disabilities | Crippled, lame, deformed |
| Wheelchair user | Wheelchair bound, confined, or restricted to a wheelchair |
| Persons with intellectual disabilities | Mentally retarded, intellectually disabled |
| Person who cannot speak, has difficulty speaking, non-vocal, non-verbal | Dumb, mute |
| Person with autism | Physically or mentally disabled learner, disabled |
| Accessible parking | Handicap parking |
| Accessible toilet | Handicap toilet |
