Language

Hi,

Recently I've been reading in to ableist slurs/language and how it ends up in everyday conversations. It really struck me about how naive I've been when a. using this language myself and b. not realising when others are using it either towards me or others in the disabled community. it has been surreally eye opening for me to learn about this so I thought I would give you guys some of the key information I've learnt.

Please understand that most of the language that I'm about to use may not be classed as slurs but as ableist. You are not an automatic evil/horrible/anti disabled type of person if you use this language as a one off, it's when you,direct it to someone or use it when you fully understand the under laying meaning and, use it constantly:that's when you are classed as the list above. But it's worthwhile if you do intend to change the language you use every day life.

The saddest thing Is language is a powerful tool of oppression towards the disabled community. For those, me likewise, who are going to try and change the language they use, we can uncover the way we abuse the slurs into some sort of sick joke 

important note: Many people who identify with particular disabilities or disability in general may use words from this list in an act of reclaiming the language. You may well too! BUT if you do not identify with a particular disability/disabled identity, be sure that the person  you are with don't mind you using the terms as some may take personal offence to it and that's no good. 

Here are some common words you may joke about with and words that you could use instead 

Ableist language 

Blind to ____ / turn a blind eye to ____ .
Refers to Blind people or people with visual impairments

Confined to a wheelchair
Refers to people with physical or mobility disabilities.

Crazy 
Refers to people with mental or psychiatric disabilities/distress.

 Cripple/Crippled (by ____)

Refers to people with physical or mobility disabilities. (Personally I am proud to use this when I'm describing myself!)

 Derp 
Refers to people with intellectual disabilities

Differently abled
Can refer to any person with a disability. (Come on! No need to sugar coat it! we all know we are disabled. Why not say that?)

Handicap(ped)
Refers to people with physical or mobility disabilities. (Stop focusing on people's physical look their mind is so much better)

Imbecile
Refers to people with intellectual disabilities.

Insane or Insanity
Refers to people with mental or psychiatric disabilities. (This one bugs me)

Lame
Refers to people with physical or mobility disabilities

Mental/Mental Case
Refers to people with mental or psychiatric disabilities. (No, the gig you went to wasn't 'mental')

Retard(ed)/[anything]-tard
Refers to people with intellectual disabilities. (This hurts)

Spaz(zed)

Refers to people with cerebral palsy or similar neurological disabilities. (Ugh)

Specially Abled
Can refer to any person with a disability. (Again why sugar coat it?)

 Special Needs

Usually refers to people with learning, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, but can mean any person with a disability. (....don't even get me started.........)

Suffers from ____
Can refer to any person with a disability. (We live with,not suffer)

Non ableist

Instead of the ableist terms when talking about a non disabled person you could mean to say 

 Boring

Coward

Disgusting

Evil

Horrible

Incomprehensible
Inconsiderate
Inconsistent
Infuriating
Insensible
Irrational

For describing people with disabilities/disabled people in general:
Disabled
Has a disability
With a disability
With a chronic health condition
Has a chronic health conditionNeurodivergent ( is the diversity of human brains and minds-used to describe people who are on the autism spectrum )

Neurotypical(opposite of Neurodivergent)

I hope this gives you an idea into how you can change the way you speak in order to be more inclusive and non offensive. 

Byeeeeeee