This is an open letter to all media practitioners, especially editors, Members of Parliament (MPs) and state assemblymen (ADUNs), and ministers.
We thank those of you who have demonstrated support for persons with disabilities.
With Malaysia’s aspiration to be a developed nation, it is time to consider the use of inappropriate language for referring to persons with disabilities and disability-related matters. How do we use terminology that shapes behaviour, breaks barriers and exclusion, and does not reinforce stereotypes?
Respectful and appropriate disability language in communication acknowledges the dignity and celebrates the diversity of persons with disabilities.
It does not reinforce negative stereotyping and derogatory labels that connote pity and lesser value. Each time respectful and appropriate language is used is a blow to discrimination on the basis of disability.
Respectful and appropriate disability language also recognises that disability is not the defining characteristic of a person, but rather one aspect of individual identity and experience.
We would like to share some general principles of respectful and appropriate disability language, and hope that this will translate into better media reporting and comments and statements made by ministers, MPs, and ADUNs.
First, it is important to respect the preferences and choices of persons with disabilities regarding how to be referred to. When in doubt, just ask the person with disability.
Second, please avoid euphemisms or terms that are patronising, offensive, or inaccurate. For example, do not use terms such as “special needs”, “differently abled”, “handicapped”, or “mentally retarded”.
These terms imply that disability is something to be ashamed of, to be hidden or avoided. It reinforces the medical model that views disability as “an anomaly” to be medically “fixed” and persons with disabilities as “damaged” and “incomplete”.
Instead, acknowledge the centrality of the person (see table below) and use clear and respectful terms, such as “disability”, “accessibility”, “accommodation”, or “inclusion”.
One common incorrect reference to the non-disabled population is “normal” or “healthy”. This reinforces the wrong view that persons with disabilities (the OKU community) is somehow “abnormal” or “unhealthy”.
It is best to use “non-disabled” in place of “normal” or “healthy”. And use “neurotypical” instead of “of sound mind”.
Third, avoid terms that underscore a “victim” attitude towards disability, such as “suffering from”, “afflicted with”, “confined to”, or “incapacitated by”.
These terms perpetrate outdated views that disability is a burden, a tragedy. and a source of pity. Instead, use neutral or positive terms, such as “living with”, “experiencing” or “has”.
Some persons may prefer identity-first language, such as “autistic person” or “deaf person”, rather than person-first language, e.g., “person with autism”.
The table below offers suggested terms to use and words to avoid for some common disabilities, but it is not exhaustive. It lists some suggested terms in accordance with international good practice — see the 2022 United Nations Disability-Inclusive Communications Guidelines.
Terminology that dignifies persons with disabilities and the OKU community
| Inappropriate terminology to be avoided |
Persons with disabilities or Disabled Persons Person with disability or disabled person | Differently abled Special needs child/person Special person |
Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) | Orang Kelainan Upaya Kanak-kanak Istimewa Cacat |
Person with intellectual disabilityPerson with intellectual impairment | Retard, idiot, imbecile, moron Feeble-minded, mental defective Mentally challenged / retarded / handicapped |
Person with a learning disability | Slow learner, stupid |
Person with Down Syndrome | Mongoloid or Down |
Deaf person and Hard-of-Hearing person Person with a hearing disability/impairment | Deaf and dumb, deafie Deaf-mute Hearing impaired |
Blind person Low-Vision person Person with visual impairment/disability Deafblind person |
The blind The visually impaired |
Person with autism Autistic person (if the person self-identifies this way) Neurodivergent person Person on the autism spectrum | Avoid adding any of the following: ”Low-functioning” or ‘high-functioning”, “mild”, “moderate” or “severe” |
Person with ADHD | Hyper or hyperactive |
Person with [type of impairment, e.g., epilepsy] or [medical condition, e.g., diabetes] | Epileptic child Diabetic Bed-bound or bedridden |
Person with albinism | Albino |
Person with cerebral palsy |
|
Persons with psychosocial disabilities Survivors and users of psychiatry / psychiatric services | Crazy, loony, mental, insane Psycho, deranged Not of sound mind |
Persons with dementia Persons living with dementia | Demented, senile Nyanyuk |
Para sports / games Para athlete | Handicapped sports, special sports Handicapped athlete, special athlete |
Little person, person of short stature |
Midget, dwarf, stunted |
Wheelchair-user Person with a mobility impairment/disability Person who uses a mobility device | Wheelchair-bound, confined to a wheelchair Physically challenged Handicapped |
Quad Paraplegic | Person who uses a communication device Person who uses an alternative method of communication |
Non-verbal Mute | Person or address the person by the person’s given name |
Patient “Case”/ Case number |
|
Accessible parking Parking reserved for persons with disabilities Accessible bathroom Accessible/disability-inclusive building | Disabled/handicapped parking Handicapped bathroom Handicapped friendly building |
Person with [type of impairment, e.g., epilepsy] or [medical condition, e.g., diabetes] | Epileptic child Diabetic Bed-bound or bedridden |
Language is constantly evolving. The change happens as disabled persons change, as do community understanding of our relationships, rights, place in society and aspirations for the future.
The key is to remain respectful of each other, as we work towards ensuring that everyone’s place in society is enabled and we grow as an inclusive society.
Using respectful and appropriate language empowers the individual and the community. It is time that we as a nation change our use of demeaning terminology, to respect persons with disabilities.
Let’s remember this: disability does not limit a person; it is the inaccessible environment that stops progress. And our choice of language shapes that environment.
Comments