Ableist Terms to Stop Using

Before we can discuss ableist terms, I think it’s important to define what ableism is and what it means for our society. Ableism, by literal definition, is the favoring of able-bodied people and discrimination of disabled people. Ableism is the belief that an able-bodied person is better than, superior to, or more valuable than a disabled person. Ableism can manifest in a variety of ways, such as assuming incompetence, segregation in schools (think general education vs. special education), and portraying disabilities as “inspirational” or “devastating.” Ableism includes stereotypes, discrimination and prejudices and, just like sexism and sexism, deems an entire population as “inferior” to another.

Now that you have a clear picture of what ableism is, here are some ableist terms you should stop using:

1. “R*tard” - this comes from the phrase “mental retardation,” which we stopped using in medical, educational and clinical settings in 2010, almost a decade ago, when a federal law was passed to change the phrase to “intellectual disability.” This term is used to describe a person that has certain limitations in areas such as cognition, communication, adaptive skills, or social skills. I wrote an entire blog post dedicate to this very word. You can read it here.

   Different words/phrases to use are: intellectual disability, cognitive disability, communication disorder

2. “Vegetable” - this term is derived from the phrase “vegetative state” which was/is used by some medical professionals to describe a person who’s cerebellum (which is responsible for thoughts/behavior) no longer functions, but his/her brainstem and hypothalamus (which are responsible for vital, involuntary processes) continue to function. Thus, a person may appear to be awake, but does not respond to stimulation. While this is still a legal medical term, many professionals have strayed away from the term “vegetative state” because of its close association to the word “vegetable.”. By definition, “vegetative'“ is “an organic body capable of growth and development but devoid of sensation and thought.” (BioMed Central) Now that I have put it in perspective, can you see how dehumanizing and offensive it is to call another human being by this word?

   Different words/phrases to use are: non-responsive, minimally conscious, unresponsive, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome

3. “Wheelchair bound” - while popular in society and the media, the term(s) “wheelchair bound” or “wheelchair confined” are not an appropriate way to describe someone who uses a wheelchair. If you or someone you love uses a wheelchair, then you’ll understand that wheelchairs are the ultimate gift of freedom to someone with a limitation that prohibits them from walking or navigating the world without a wheelchair. Wheelchairs do not bind/confine someone to an object, but rather they give independence and autonomy. Additionally, very few people who use a wheelchair are in their wheelchair 24/7. Many people transfer from their wheelchair to their bed, shower/bath, car, etc., so not only is “wheelchair bound” limiting, but also inaccurate.

   Different words/phrases to use: person who uses a wheelchair, wheelchair user

4. “Suffers from” - this is a phrase I hear all too often in the disability community, usually by people with good intentions, but misinformed news. I recently shared a story about a child with a specific physical disability and a follower on social media loved the article and wanted to share with her friends/family. When she shared, she wrote “Meet ___, a child who suffers from _____.” and my heart broke. Her desire to share this story with her community to raise awareness was beautiful, but her inaccurate description of this child was startling. When we use phrases like “suffers from” or “is a victim of” we portray people with disabilities as having a reduced quality of life, which, in and of itself, is ableist. Many people with disabilities live a loved and fulfilled life, and it is unacceptable for anyone else to label their life as “full of suffering.”

   Different words/phrases to use: he/she has _____

There are plenty of word/phrases to add to this list and Part Two (and probably Three and Four) will be up soon. Until then, please look at your own life, your own vocabulary, and your own prejudices. We all like to think of ourselves as good, kind people, but until we are educated on topics like this, we, too, can fall prey to using language that cuts others down. In my lifetime, I have said almost every single one of these words/phrases. I have had an ableist mindset and an attitude of pity/sorrow for the disability community. I have had to make a conscious effort to change my language and now I am encouraging you to do the same. It’s okay to cringe when thinking of times when you have heard others these words/phrases, it’s okay that you have said these terms aloud, but it’s NOT okay to read this post and continue doing it anyway. As the beautiful Maya Angelou once said…

“Do the best you can until
you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

Laureys, S., Celesia, G.G., Cohadon, F. et al. Unresponsive wakefulness syndrome: a new name for the vegetative state or apallic syndrome. BMC Med 8, 68 (2010).

National Center on Disability and Journalism. (2016, September 20). Retrieved September 23, 2020, from https://ncdj.org/