A way with words
The way in which we refer to people affects the way they are seen by others and, indeed, how they feel about themselves.
In recent times, the media and the community in general have become increasingly aware that using inappropriate language when referring to people with a disability is offensive and demeaning.
The purpose of A way with words is to promote inclusiveness and the fair and accurate portrayal of people with a disability. It is intended as an aid for professional communicators, such as journalists, writers, producers and broadcasters, and provides suggestions for appropriate language, interviewing techniques and media coverage involving people with a disability.
Acknowledgements
Disability Services Queensland would like to thank:
- Joan Hume for permission to use ideas from her booklet Media guidelines (Disability Council of New South Wales 1994) in this publication
- Cathy Wilcox for permission to reproduce her cartoons
- the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada for permission to use parts of the document A way with words and images: guidelines for the portrayal of persons with disabilities (Social Development Canada 2002).
Last updated March 2009
