South Carolina
Vocational Rehabilitation Department

Positive language empowers.

When writing or speaking about people with disabilities, it is important to put the person first. Emphasize abilities, not limitations.

Here are examples of positive and negative phrases:

Positive	Negative
Person who is blind	The blind
Person with a disability	The disabled, handicapped
Person who is hearing impaired	Suffers a hearing loss
Person who has multiple sclerosis	Afflicted by MS
Person with cerebral palsy	CP victim
Person who has muscular dystrophy	Stricken by MD
Person with a developmental disability	Retarded, mentally defective
Person with epilepsy	Epileptic
Person with mental illness	Crazy, mental case
Person who uses a wheelchair	Confined or restricted to a wheelchair
Person without disabilities	Normal person (implies that person with a disability isn’t normal)
Physically disabled	Crippled, lame, deformed
Unable to speak; uses synthetic speech	Dumb, mute

Learn to communicate with people who have disabilities.

People with disabilities expect equal treatment, not special treatment.

Always remember that a person with a disability is a person with feelings. Treat him/her as you would want to be treated.

You can’t always see a person’s disability. If a person acts unusual or seems different, just be yourself. Use common sense.

Avoid asking personal questions about someone’s disability.

Do not raise your voice unless requested.

It is appropriate to extend your hand when introduced to a person with a disability, even if they have an artificial limb. It is acceptable to shake left hands if needed. If they cannot shake hands, a touch on the shoulder or arm is ok.

Be willing to open the door if needed.

Never lean on a person’s wheelchair; this is their personal space.

Look and speak directly to the person with a disability, not to their companion or interpreter.

Ask a person with a visual impairment if he/she would like to take your arm rather than grabbing their arm. Walk slightly ahead, and point out doors, stairs, etc as you approach them. Be specific when describing the location.

Don’t pet or distract a guide dog; they are always working.

Be willing to repeat or rephrase a question if they don’t understand. Ask open-ended questions. Be patient and give your undivided attention.

It’s ok to use expressions like “see you soon” or “I’d better be running along”, etc.