Diversity Language
Language Matters!
Language changes with time, and people may change their relationship to descriptive terminology and labels. The following links provide some insight into diversity and language in use. The best resource to learn more about these topics is to listen to each community. To do this, you can follow community members on Twitter or other social media channels (make sure to follow members of the community and not just allys and activists) or spend time in forums where the community is active (see Reddit). Not sure? Google is your friend!
Other Voices (diversity voices – Twitter list)
Behinderte Aktivist*innen (created by Raul Krauthausen – Twitter list)
Below, you’ll find some selected links on diversity language. Check back for more as we update this list in 2023!
Identity-First or Person-First Language?
Identity-first vs. person-first language is an important distinction On the debate over person-first and identity-first language in writing about disabled people.
‘AUTISTIC PERSON’ OR ‘PERSON WITH AUTISM’: IS THERE A RIGHT WAY TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE? Why Autistic people often prefer identity-first language – and why their families often disagree.
Special Needs vs Disabled
“Special needs” is an ineffective euphemism This study explores the effectiveness of euphemisms like special needs, and highlights which language is prefered by people with disabilities.
Gender Pronouns
Gender Pronouns A guide to using pronouns at work.