Acceptable terminology
In general, refer to a person who has a kind of disability, not a disabled person.
If necessary, use the following terms to describe people with disabilities or the disabilities themselves.
Use these terms | Instead of |
---|---|
Blind, has low vision | Sight-impaired, vision impaired |
Deaf or hard-of-hearing | Hearing-impaired |
Has limited dexterity, has motion disabilities | Crippled, lame |
Without disabilities | Normal, able-bodied, healthy |
One-handed, people who type with one hand | Single-handed |
People with disabilities | The disabled, disabled people, people with handicaps, the handicapped |
Cognitive disabilities, developmental disabilities | Slow learner, retarded, mentally handicapped |
TTY (to refer to the telecommunication device) | TT/TTD |
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