DEMOS Project - Module: Disability Awareness

Suggested terminology when referring to disability

This table lists accepted and not accepted terminology when referring to disability.
Accepted usage	Do not use
Try to include the person in the term used i.e. person who is blind; deaf people.	The disabled, the blind. Suffering from... afflicted by...
Disabled people/students.	The disabled. Also, in the UK there is a move away from using 'students with disabilities' by proponents of the social model.
Deaf people/students. Hard of hearing - referring to people with mild to moderate hearing loss.	The deaf. Deaf and dumb. Also, the deaf community tend not to use the term 'hearing impaired'.
Wheelchair user. Person with a mobility impairment.	Wheelchair bound. Crippled. Handicapped. Mobility impaired.
Blind person. Partially sighted.	The blind.
Non-disabled.	Able bodied.
Student with dyslexia. Students with specific learning difficulties (which includes dyslexia, dyspraxia etc.)	Word blind.
Person with mental health difficulties.	Mad, crazy, bonkers etc.
Accessible toilet.	Disabled toilet.
Person of restricted growth.	Dwarf, midget.