Terminology has the effect of labelling people with disabilities, stereotyping them, discriminating against them, and ultimately creating a culture of non‐acceptance of diversity. Here are a few pointers on how to be sensitive towards others when you speak.

Although some disabled people prefer the terms 'physically challenged' or 'differently abled', these should generally not be used. The disability rights movement of South Africa accepts both the terms 'disabled person' and 'people with disabilities'.

Avoid "suffers from". This indicates ongoing pain and torment, which is no more the case for most people with disabilities as it is for most people without disabilities.

"Afflicted with" denotes a disease, which most disabilities are not. "Victim of" implies that a crime is being committed on the person who has disability.

Do not use "wheelchair‐bound" or "confined to a wheelchair". People see their wheelchairs as a convenient mode of transportation, not prisons, and the "bound/confined" phrase belies the fact that many people with motor disabilities engage in activities without their wheelchairs, including driving and sleeping. The proper phase is "uses a wheelchair".

Use "disability" not "handicap". The word "handicap" derives from the phrase "cap in hand", referring to a beggar, and is despised by most with disabilities.

Other terms to avoid: "physically/mentally challenged", "cripple" and "crippled".

Use "able‐bodied" or "people without disabilities". The terms "normal" and "whole" are inappropriate and inaccurate.

Most disabilities are not a disease. Do not call a person with a disability a "patient" unless referring to a hospital setting. In an occupational and physical therapy context, "client" or "customer" is preferred.

Some diseases, by legal definition, are considered disabilities. Victimisation imagery ("AIDS victims") or defining the person by the disease ("she is a diabetic") is still inappropriate. Use "person with diabetes" or "people living with AIDS".

People who consider themselves part of Deaf culture refer to themselves as "Deaf" with a capital "D". Because their culture derives from their language, they may be identified as you would other cultural entities, i.e. "Shangaan". Never use the terms Deaf‐mute, Deaf and Dumb.

Avoid "deformed," "deformity" and "birth defect". A person may be "born without arms" or "has a congenital disability", but is probably not defective.

Use "person with Down syndrome". Avoid "Mongol" or "mongoloid".

Avoid "mentally retarded", "insane", "slow learner," "learning disabled" and "brain damaged". Use "person with intellectual disability", or "person with a psychiatric disability".

Avoid "cerebral palsy" and "spastic". Use "person with cerebral palsy".

Use "person with epilepsy" or "child with a seizer disorder." Avoid "dwarf" or "midget". Some groups prefer "little / short people", but it's best to use "person of short stature".

Use "man with paraplegia" or "she has quadriplegia" or "quadriplegia". Avoid "paraplegic" or "quadriplegic" as either a noun or adjective.

With acknowledgement to Patricia Digh of Real Work Group.

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