Language Matters: Shifting How We Speak About Disability

Language Matters: Shifting How We Speak About Disability

I have recently been helping a student of social work with their module on disability one thing that stands out even within our society is that words are powerful. They shape how we see each other and ourselves we internalise terms and inadvertently perpetuate narratives. When it comes to disability, the language we use can either reinforce outdated stereotypes or help build a more inclusive and respectful society.

The PWDA Language Guide (2021), created by people with disability for the broader public, unpacks how language impacts not only social narratives but also self-perception and systemic access. It reminds us that terms like “sufferer” or “confined to a wheelchair” don’t just miss the mark they perpetuate pity, othering, and ableism.

Instead, the guide champions using person-first or identity-first language depending on individual preference. For instance, “person with a disability” respects personhood, while “disabled person” can affirm disability as a valued identity. The key takeaway? Ask, don’t assume.

It also dives into the importance of rejecting “inspiration porn” those over-sentimental stories that frame people with disability as “brave” just for existing. These narratives, while well-meaning, often serve to make non-disabled people feel better rather than truly centre lived experience.

What’s powerful about this guide is its call for self-representation. People with disability have the right to tell their own stories in their own words not be spoken over by professionals or family members.

The takeaway for all of us? Be curious, be respectful, and be open to unlearning language that might have felt “normal.” Language evolves, and so should we.

Reference: People With Disability Australia (2021). “PWDA Language Guide: A guide to language about disability.”