Inclusive Language

Part 3 of 5 in our Social Model of Disability Blog Series…

Click here to jump to Easy Read version.

Central heading reads "Inclusive Language" in black and pink text on a pale grey background. Text beneath this reads "Part 3 of 5 in our Social Model series..." Circular photo top right of a hand holding a white and gold sign with "let's get social" in all capitals and black font. Passenger Assistance logo top left, a teal P with Passenger Assistance to its right in black font.

Background

Language is a powerful tool for defining social groups, and the language we use has real implications. 

Historically, the language used to describe Disabled people has been medicalised or pitying, reflecting social perceptions of disability as negative. 

The language used is largely influenced by the Medical and Charity Models of Disability. 

The Social Model moves away from this type of language to more positive and accurate framing of experience. 

Medicalised or charitable descriptions of disability exacerbate negative stereotypes and contribute to ableism. 

Inclusive language refutes the idea of Disabled people as vulnerable and emphasises the importance of identity.

Teal textbox reads ""Language has always had the power to define cultural groups." - Haller et al" in black font. Pale grey background.

Identity First

Many Disabled people adopt identity-first language because it forefronts disability. 

For example “Disabled person” is identity-first. Whereas “A person who is disabled” is person-first language. 

Identity-first language can be related to disability pride. 

It also links to the Social Model because it emphasises people with impairments are disabled by society. 

This places responsibility on society itself to be more accessible.

Individual Preference

  1. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to the language they use to describe themselves. Disabled people are not a homogenous group. 
  1. Identity is an individual experience. It is important to be respectful of everyone’s preferred language. 

At Transreport

We are a Social Model aligned company and we use identity-first language. 

We recognise language shapes how we see each other, and the value we place on cultural groups. 

Accessibility and inclusion is at the core of our ethos. We circulate best practice guides for language for internal colleagues and external partners.

Teal speech marks top left. Central quote reads "Language can diminish or empower people" in pink and then "and what is acceptable to Disabled people changes over time, culture and location." in black. With "- Lynn Wilson & Nicola Martin" beneath in black font. Pale grey background.

Easy Read Version

Graphic of a blue book with white text on the cover reading "Dictionary A-Z" in white font and capital letters with a red ribbon bookmark. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Language is powerful. The language we use can make people feel different things." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a clipboard with cream paper and a blue cross in a circle. Text to the right of the graphic reads "When people talk about disability they can focus on what is "wrong" with the person. This is the Medical Model of Disability." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a grey box with the word "donations" on it and 3 hands in different coloured sleeves putting items in the box. The hand with the blue sleeve is dropping a dollar in the box, the hand with the yellow sleeve is dropping a heart shape and the hand with the orange sleeve is dropping a card. Text to the right of the graphic reads "When people talk about disability they can also think Disabled people need to be taken care of. This is the Charity Model of Disability." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a woman with long brown hair and a white t-shirt holding her had up with the word "no" written on her palm in big capital letters. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Thinking in this way can be unhelpful because it thinks disability is bad." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a white thumbs up emoji in a green circle. Text to the right of the graphic reads "The Social Model does not do this. It changes the idea that Disabled people need to be helped or changed." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of 3 black horizontal lines, one underneath the other. Each line has a different coloured heart on the left hand side (top line has red, middle has green and bottom has blue). Each line also has a yellow circle at a different point along the line. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Some people like to say Disabled person. Some people like to say person with a disability." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of 2 cupped palms in blue sleeves holding 3 people icons, one in a green shirt, one in a red shirt, and one in a yellow shirt. Text to the right of the graphic reads ""Disabled person" puts the word disabled first. This shows people with impairments are disabled by barriers around them." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a pink and yellow striped party popper surrounded by yellow stars and blue circles. Text to the right reads "The words "Disabled person" can show people are proud to be Disabled. This is Disability Pride. Disability Pride celebrates not thinking disability is bad." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a hand pointing at a yellow circle with a white tick inside. Beside this is another circle, this time red with a white x inside. Text to the right of the graphic reads "People use different words to talk about themselves." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Teal P Passenger Assistance logo. To the right, text reads "Transreport uses the Social Model. We say Disabled people." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.