Core Principles
Follow the person's lead
The most important rule: ask how someone prefers to be identified and use that language. Preferences vary widely between individuals and communities.
Be specific
Saying "blind person" or "autistic person" is more accurate and respectful than vague terms like "special needs" or "differently abled." Specificity respects identity.
Language evolves
Disability language has changed significantly over decades and continues to evolve. Staying current reflects genuine respect — not political correctness for its own sake.
Avoid euphemisms
Euphemisms like "differently abled" often cause more harm than neutral, direct language. They signal discomfort with disability rather than respect for disabled people.
Context matters
Medical, legal, research, and community settings may use different conventions. Know your audience and purpose — clinical language may be appropriate in a medical chart but not in a community newsletter.
When in doubt, ask
It's always better to ask someone respectfully how they prefer to be described than to assume. Most people appreciate being asked.
A note on this guide
Language preferences are not monolithic. Some Deaf people prefer "hearing impaired"; some autistic people prefer "person with autism." This guide reflects current mainstream disability rights consensus and the preferences most commonly expressed by disability-led organizations — but individual preference always takes precedence. The goal is thoughtfulness, not rigid rule-following.
Language by Category
Further Reading
APA Style — Writing About Disability ↗
APA's official bias-free language guidelines for disability terminology in academic writing
National Center on Disability and Journalism — Disability Language Style Guide ↗
A comprehensive, regularly updated guide from journalists covering disability
Disability Visibility Project — Language Resources ↗
First-person disability media and community perspectives on language and identity
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) ↗
Autistic-led organization; their resources explain preferences within the autism community
National Association of the Deaf — Position Statements ↗
Explains Deaf cultural identity and language preferences from the Deaf community itself