Inclusive Language
So you want to learn more about inclusive language?
Well, you’ve come to the right place!
This resource guide is intended to provide you with a starting point on your journey to becoming a more inclusive communicator in your business and everyday life.
The words you use matter.
Using inclusive language isn’t just about avoiding offensive terms. It’s about recognizing how language shapes people’s experiences, opportunities, and relationships.
Using inclusive language is a thoughtful practice that helps us to choose the words and language that respects and honours the lived experiences of equity-deserving communities¹.
The tricky part is that words naturally evolve over time to reflect changes to culture, identity, and live experience. This means that using inclusive language is an ongoing commitment to learning and adapting in order to use language that recognizes the dignity and experiences of every person.
¹Equity-Deserving Communities is another term for Underrepresented or underserved communities. When we speak of Equity-Deserving communities, we are referring to those groups who experience discrimination and exclusion because of unequal power relationships across economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions. We utilize the term “equity-deserving” rather than “underserved” or “marginalized” because it recognizes these communities’ right to equity, inclusion, and opportunity, rather than defining them by disadvantage.Person-First vs Identity-First Language
Language preferences vary from individual to individual, and there is no “one size fits all” approach to how we refer to individuals and the communities in which they belong.
This is true for persons with disabilities, as it is for individuals from other equity-deserving communities.
Person-First Language places the person before their disability or heritage, emphasizing that these are just one aspect of their identity.
Examples:
Persons with disabilities
She has autism
Identity-First Language emphasizes that certain characteristics (like disability or heritage) are an integral part of a person’s identity and lived experience.
Examples:
I’m disabled
She’s Autistic
They’re Deaf
He’s Black
Neither approach is universally preferred. That said, there are communities of individuals who tend to prefer one over the other. For example, many members of the Deaf community prefer identity-first language. The capital “D” recognizes a shared cultural and linguistic identity rather than simply a “hearing-related disability”.
Benefits of Using Inclusive Language
Organizations that use inclusive language demonstrate respect for equity-deserving communities. Trust is more easily built when individuals see themselves thoughtfully reflected in communications that prioritize equity and inclusion.
Helps to Build Trust & Credibility
Some of the language we use can unintentionally reinforce harmful stereotypes and rhetoric. The words we use can help others to feel more safe and welcome in the spaces that we design and create.
Helps to Prevent Harm and Exclusion
Helps to Promote Thoughtful & Equitable Decision-Making
The language we use can greatly influence how we perceive people, identify challenges, and solutions. It also influences our subconscious beliefs about others. Using inclusive language encourages us to question or assumptions, recognize diverse perspective, and consider how out communications affect equity-deserving communities.
Helps to Encourage Meaningful Participation and Engagement
Individuals are more likely and willing to share their experiences in spaces where they feel respected, considered, and reflected. Using inclusive language can help to reduce barriers to participation and create opportunities for more meaningful dialogue and participation.
Language With Ableist Roots
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Historically, the word “lame” was used to describe individuals with physical disabilities—particularly those with difficulty walking or moving.
This phrase reinforces ableist stereotypes by using disability-related language to describe something as inferior, boring, or undesirable.
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The phrase “falling on deaf ears” utilizes Deafness as a metaphor for someone who is unwilling to listen or respond.
This expression reinforces the harmful association between hearing loss and deliberate ignorance, dismissiveness, or a lack of understanding.
This association conflates the inability to hear with an unwillingness to listen.
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The phrase “turn a blind eye” uses blindness as a metaphor for deliberately ignoring something, or intentionally choosing not to acknowledge it.
This expression associates visual disability with indifference, negligence, or a lack of awareness. This conflates the inability to see with the conscious decision to disregard something.
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The phrase “the blind leading the blind” has historical roots in biblical teachings, where blindness was used as a metaphor for a lack of knowledge, understanding, and guidance.
Today, the expression is used to describe situations where an individual lacking knowledge or expertise attempts to guide others. This reinforces harmful stereotypes that associate blindness with incompetence, ignorance, or an inability to lead.
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The term “blind spot” is used figuratively to describe a lack of awareness, understanding ,or recognition. This can reinforce negative associations between blindness and ignorance, or an inability to recognize or acknowledge important information.
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The terms “insane” and “crazy” have been used to describe and stigmatize individuals with mental health conditions and psychiatric disabilities for years.
When used to describe something as ridiculous, irrational, extreme, or unbelievable, these expressions reinforce harmful stereotypes that associate mental illness with unpredictability, incompetence, or lack of rational thinking.
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Terms like “high functioning” and “low functioning” have been used to categorize people with disabilities (and particularly autistic individuals) based on perceived abilities and independence.
These labels reduce people to subjective categories that overlook individual strengths, support needs, and circumstances.
Further, they often only reflect how society perceives an individual’s disability rather than their actual experiences or needs. This reinforces assumptions about competence and capability.
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Terms like “differently abled” and “special needs” are euphemisms often used to avoid referring to disability.
Although their use typically stems from the intention to sound more positive or respectful, these expressions reinforce the idea that being disabled is “bad”, or shouldn’t be acknowledged.
“Special needs” also reframes ordinary access and accommodation needs as unusual or exceptional, rather than recognizing them as part of human diversity.
Disabled isn’t a bad word.
Ready to Learn More?
Ready to dive in and learn how to improve the inclusion and accessibility of your communications?
Check out our hands-on learning opportunities: