Local Canadian accessibility committee urges proper language use about disability

From The Amherstburg Echo in Canada:

ESSEX, Canada — Members of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee are urging people to "watch their language" as they note that certain ways of describing those with a disability can be harmful.

The committee, as part of National Access Awareness Week, appeared before Essex County Council last Wednesday night with a portion of their delegation focusing on "First Person Language." Committee member Christine Easterbrook noted that some definitions of "disabled" include such language as "decrepit" adding that she didn’t know of anyone who wanted to be described using such language.

"We are just like you," she said.

As part of the weeklong awareness event, the committee also sent an article to local media about First Person Language. Many of the points reflected at the county council meeting were also contained in the article.

"Words are powerful and the language we use is of utmost importance in our society today. The word disabled means broken down, not working, decrepit, helpless, incapable, incapacitated, injured and powerless. Is that how you would want to be portrayed?" the article asks. "Person First language focuses on the person rather than the disability. Everyone living with a disability wants to be seen as a person first. Nobody living with a disability wants to be identified by it. It’s a matter of dignity and respect. Using old and inaccurate descriptors perpetuates negative stereotypes and reinforces an already incredibly powerful attitudinal barrier. This is why it is crucial that we change the labels we use."

The committee notes that "a disability is what a person has, not what a person is" and urges people to "avoid terms that devalue persons with disabilities."

Such examples of the language issues include people who say "the handicapped" or "the disabled." The committee states the proper term is "people with disabilities." Instead of mentally retarded, the terminology should be "person who has a cognitive disability." Instead of using language stating the someone is epileptic, quadriplegic or autistic, the committee urges phrasing like "person who has epilepsy", "person who has quadriplegia" or "person who has autism." Instead of "is brain damaged", the committee said "person who has a brain injury" is preferred. "Person who uses a wheelchair" is proper language rather than "confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair bound" while "person who has a learning disability" is preferable than "is learning disabled." The committee asks that instead of stating "is developmentally delayed", it is better to say "person who has a developmental disability" and instead of using phrasing like "is a Down’s person" it is better to say "person who has Down’s syndrome."

Other examples include saying "person who has a psychiatric disability" rather than saying "mentally ill", stating "person who has a disability" rather than "special needs person" and "accessible parking spot" rather than "handicapped parking spot." Stating "person who is deaf/blind" rather than "deaf/blind person" is more appropriate and instead of "birth defect", using "congenital disability" is preferred.

"Disability touches everyone. It is the largest minority group – the minority of everybody. Chances are high that you or someone you know has a disability. It can take a long time to acquire one and it can also take a fraction of a second. Regardless of the circumstances it is not to be feared but embraced," the committee’s article states. "Part of quelling the fear is modifying your perception and modifying your perception changes your attitude. Using Person First language is a great place to start. So, please think before you speak. Watch your language!"