What to Say About People with Disabilities

Careful writers and editors take pains to avoid bias in language, but many style guides offer only general advice.

An exception is the Guidelines for Reporting and Writing about People with Disabilities, developed by the Research and Training Institute on Independent Living at the University of Kansas. Reflecting the input of more than 100 national disability organizations, the Guidelines provide an alphabetical list of appropriate terminology, unacceptable usage, and concise definitions of specific terms, as well as an informative section on “portrayal issues” that you should consider when writing about people with disabilities.

For example, the listing for “seizure” gives the preferred terms (e.g., “girl with epilepsy” or “man with seizure disorder”) as well as what to avoid; “Do not use fit, spastic or attacks.” It also explains succinctly what the term describes, what causes a seizure, and the difference between a contraction and a convulsion. Nuggets of information like these help the writer avoid not only unintentional bias but also sloppiness in meaning, and they enhance the credibility of the work overall.

“Portrayal issues” speak directly to the common assumptions and stereotypes behind biased language, with many applying to the visual portrayal of people with disabilities as well. These include reminders to steer clear of both sensationalism and euphemisms, and advice on how to keep the focus on the individual, not the disability.

Information on the Guidelines and an order form for the print version is available at www.rtcil.org.