Disability Backup logo Disability Backup

Promoting access and equality, representing disabled adults and their interests
Woman signing Smiling woman in wheelchair Woman with guide dog Man with Down Syndrome

Language Code

Introduction:

Signing the language code
Hackney residents signing the Language Code
Disability Backup follows the "social model" of disability; people are disabled by barriers within society, rather than being "victims" of their impairments or conditions.

We are campaigning for equal opportunities and for a change in attitude; one way of working towards more positive attitudes is to change the language we use.

Disability Backup has made a guide of empowering rather than passive/negative language. Whilst we respect individual's preferences on how they would want to be described, we feel public services should embrace and use positive language.

Below is a list of terms that we would like to see used throughout society, we are asking you to sign up and support our effort to improve disability related language and thus improve people's perceptions of disability.

To sign up please enter your details:
Name:
Email:
Job title
(if appropriate):


Disability Backup Language Code
We, the undersigned, are promoting equality for disabled people and will endeavour to use the positive language in future.

Red cross Wheelchair bound
Because... People are not 'trapped' in their wheelchairs 24 hours a day.
Green tick Wheelchair user
Red cross The disabled
Because... Disabled people are individuals; 'The' denotes a group.
Green tick Disabled People
Red cross Disabled toilet
Because... Adding 'disabled' before the word implies that the object is not working properly.
Green tick Accessible toilet
Red cross Invalid, Spastic
Because... These are negative, hurtful words
Green tick Disabled Person
Red cross Housebound
Because... Implies the person is 'trapped'
Green tick Complex needs, not able to regularly leave the house
Red cross Problems
Because... Negative word
Green tick Impairments, Difficulties
Red cross Suffers from... Shame, Pity
Because... Implies guilt and sorrow
Green tick Living with...
Red cross Is...(disability)
Because... Identifies that person by their disability, 'is a Down Syndrome'
Green tick Has...(impairment)
Red cross Normal
Because... Implies that disabled people are not normal
Green tick Non disabled Person
Red cross Retarded, Stupid, Slow
Because... Rude, hurtful words
Green tick Learning difficulties
Red cross Special needs
Because... Some people argue that there is nothing 'special' about being disabled!
Green tick Additional needs, different needs
Red cross Blind
Because... There are a range of sight impairments
Green tick Visually Impaired
Red cross Blind
Because... Some people have limited sight but are not totally blind
Green tick Partially Sighted
Red cross The blind
Because... The blind denotes a group, not individuals
Green tick Blind (people)
Red cross The deaf, Deaf and dumb
Because... The deaf denotes a group, deaf and dumb implies a deaf person may be stupid. Deaf people may have a voice but choose not to use it.
Green tick Deaf, British Sign Language (BSL) User
Red cross Deaf
Because... There are different levels of deafness
Green tick Hearing Impaired
Red cross Deaf
Because... There are different methods of communication
Green tick Lip Reader
Red cross Cripple
Because... Negative image
Green tick Mobility issues
Red cross 'Disabled Services'
Because... Implies that the service is not working properly.
Green tick Services for Disabled People

Scroll to the top of the page or click here to sign up.


Designed by Web Design & Mastery
Disability Backup is part of Hackney Family Backup
Registered Charity No: 1017015 - Company Registration No: 2422896