HNY Inclusive Language Guidance > ‘Inclusive language: disability’ – video transcript

‘Inclusive language: disability’ – video transcript

[ON SCREEN: Inclusive language: disability]

Disability means different things to different people.

It’s important to not make assumptions.

Not all impairments or health conditions are visible, and not everyone who falls under the definition of a disabled person considers themselves to be so.

The disabled community is hugely diverse.

We use ‘disabled person’ or ‘disabled people’ instead of ‘person with disabilities’. This reflects the social model of disability; our potential or participation is limited by societal or environmental factors and not our health condition or impairment.

These could be barriers such as negative attitudes, physical environments and media representation of disabled people.

We use ‘non-disabled’ to describe someone not impacted in this way and we avoid the term ‘able-bodied’.

As with all language linked to our identities, the choice of which words to use is very personal. Always take your lead from the language a person uses to describe themselves.

Top tips…

• Only refer to someone’s health condition or impairment if it is relevant to the context.
• Avoid negative language like ‘suffering from’, ‘battling’ or other terms suggesting victimhood or lack of agency.
• Always speak directly to a disabled person, even if a companion or interpreter is present.
• Remember to always use language that respects the dignity of others.

You can find out more in the Humber and North Yorkshire Inclusive Language Guidance.

[ENDS]

This page was last updated on Monday 7 April 2025.