TERMINOLOGY

 

 

 

 

VICTIM – instead use: person who has/experienced/with.

[THE] CRIPPLE[D] – instead use: person with a disability.

AFFLICTED BY/WITH – instead use: person has.

INVALID – instead use: a person with a disability.

NORMAL – most people, including persons with disabilities, think they are. Do not say “normal person” to refer to someone without a disability – say “person without a disability” if necessary.

PATIENT – connotes sickness. Instead use person with a disability.

SUFFERING FROM – instead use: person had/experienced.

 

 

 

 

 

UTILISER WHEELCHAIR BOUND/CONFINED – instead use: uses a wheelchair or wheelchair user.

HOMEBOUND EMPLOYMENT – instead use: employed in the home. 

 

 

 

 

 

COURAGEOUS, BRAVE, INSPIRATIONAL and similar words are routinely used to describe persons with disabilities. Adapting to a disability does not necessarily mean someone acquires these traits.