ableist language

American  

[ey-buhl-ist lang-gwij] / ˈeɪ bəl ɪst ˈlæŋ gwɪdʒ /

noun

1. words and phrases that devalue disabled people by using disability language or historical descriptions of disabilities as an insult.

   You can make many small changes to minimize ableist language in your vocabulary, like saying a trend is “uncool” rather than calling it “lame.”

2. language that treats disability as something to be pitied or disabled people as inspirational when overcoming a disability.

   Ableist language frames people who have a disability as “afflicted with” or “suffering from” it, but they are simply people “with” a condition or illness that nondisabled people don’t have.

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Etymology

Origin of ableist language

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

"Usually I pay attention to the character or characters the editor or the author asks me to read for, but I also look at the whole novel or nonfiction work and make suggestions to replace ableist language or phrases," Ameen says.

From Salon

Ableist language and the mindset that underlies it also trickles down to study design, says Botha, who is autistic.

From Science Magazine

In scientific papers and commentaries published in recent months, some have decried ableist language among their colleagues whereas others have defended traditional terminology—with both sides saying they have the best interests of autistic people in mind.

From Science Magazine

“Waking up this morning to hear @Beyoncé has heard and recognised the disabled community’s call to remove ableist language from her music is an incredible feeling,” Diviney said on Twitter.

From Washington Post

“Ableist language includes words or phrases such as crazy, insane, blind to or blind eye to, cripple, dumb, and others,” the style guide states.

From Washington Times