Words matter. How we use them matters.
Respect, awareness and good will can make a world of difference when speaking to someone with a disability or with a disability different from our own. Even the most “woke” person gets tripped up occasionally: Do I say dwarf or little person? Hearing impaired, hard-of-hearing, or “person with a hearing disability”? If a person with cerebral palsy welcomes the term “crip,” does this apply to most people with a motor disability? Should I use person-first language or disability-first language? (For more on this difference, see below.)
The times and language are changing rapidly, as are the ways people with disabilities are choosing to identify themselves. Disability represents a form of diversity – similar to gender, race, religion, ethnicity and social class – and requires the same sensitivity when it comes to the way we address and refer to one another.
Below is a quick guide (adapted from paraquad.org) for respectful, mindful disability language. These suggestions aren’t meant to make anyone feel policed, self-conscious or shamed. Educate yourself on current, accepted terms. Still unsure how to address or refer to someone with a disability? Don’t guess! Ask the person directly, remembering most of us would still rather be referred to by our name than a label.
Words to avoid:
Cripple, handicapped, invalid, victim, afflicted with, confined to a wheelchair, normal (when referring to a non-disabled person), deaf-mute, birth defect, crazy/insane/mental patient, slow, mentally retarded, underachiever, deformed, handicapable, differently abled, disfigured, abnormal, palsied, spastic, physically challenged, manic, maimed, incapacitated, high-functioning/low-functioning, “special” and special needs.
Words to use:
Person with a disability, disabled, uses a wheelchair, non-disabled or able-bodied, deaf, hard of hearing, psychiatric history, emotional disorder, consumer of mental health services, epilepsy/seizures, learning disability, ADD/ADHD, developmental disability, cognitive disability, born with.
Many of the “words to avoid” are obvious. But language is not only ever-changing, it possesses layers of meaning, history and nuance. Inherent in words like invalid or victim is the belief that disabled people are “less than” able-bodied people. Ableism itself isn’t a new phenomenon, of course, though the term itself might be for some. And it has a way of slipping into our everyday language. We call people “crazy.” We say someone made a “dumb” choice or a “lame” excuse.
Andrew Pulrang, who writes a regular column for Forbes magazine on disability practices, policy, politics and culture, (link below), explains that “the harm of terms and uses like this is indirect, but no less real. They all reinforce the idea that a good way to describe bad things is to compare them to disabilities, or to disabled people.”
The good news, according to Pulrang, however, is that ableist language is also “unnecessary,” given a reasonable amount of awareness, creativity and, above all, care.
To learn more about respectful disability language, please check out these sources:
“It’s Time to Stop Even Casually Misusing Disability Words,” Andrew Pulrang in Forbes:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2021/02/20/its-time-to-stop-even-casually-misusing-disability-words/?sh=43d3bcfe7d4e
“The harmful ableist language you unknowingly use” – BBC’s Equality Matters
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210330-the-harmful-ableist-language-you-unknowingly-use
“Respectful Disability Language: Here’s What’s Up!” – NYLN (National Youth Leadership Network)
https://www.templateroller.com/template/2075600/respectful-disability-language-here-s-what-s-up-nyln-kasa.html
“Choosing Words for Talking About Disability” – American Psychological Association
https://www.apa.org/pi/disability/resources/choosing-words
“Disability Language Style Guide’ - National Center on Disability and Journalism
https://ncdj.org/style-guide/
“Disability-Inclusive-Language-Guidelines” - Prepared by the United Nations Office at Geneva as part of efforts to implement the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy, launched in 2019.
https://www.ungeneva.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/Disability-Inclusive-Language-Guidelines.pdf
WHAT COMES FIRST: The choice is personal and both are appropriate
Person-first language places the “person” before the “disability” and is intended to emphasize personhood over impairment. Person with a disability …
Disability-first language (or identity-first language) places “disabled” before the person, emphasizing that disability is an important part of one's identity. Disabled person …
AP Phonebanking Training
Stacey Abrams says in Our Time is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America, “Voter suppression works its might by first tripping and causing to stumble the unwanted voter, then by convincing those who see the obstacle course to forfeit the race without even starting to run.”
As Americans residing in the Asia Pacific Region, we know this feeling all too well. How do I say ‘express mail’ in Mandarin? How much is going to cost me to ship this parcel across the Pacific? Where even is the post office? And for many, these simple questions are enough to stop them from exercising their most fundamental right as Americans – voting.
According to FVAP’s 2020 data, there were around 550,000 eligible voters in the Asia Pacific Region. The same data showed that voting absentee from the Asia Pacific was an outlier, not the norm. And these votes can have real consequence. Georgia went to Joe Biden by less than 12,000 votes, Arizona by 10,500. If Federal elections can come this close, imagine how close state and local elections can come.
…which is why we need your help. We need phone bankers to help call Democrats living in the Asia Pacific region and cheer them along the voting race. Help us call American voters wherever they may AP. Join us on January 22nd to learn how.
AP Phonebanking Training
Stacey Abrams says in Our Time is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America, “Voter suppression works its might by first tripping and causing to stumble the unwanted voter, then by convincing those who see the obstacle course to forfeit the race without even starting to run.”
As Americans residing in the Asia Pacific Region, we know this feeling all too well. How do I say ‘express mail’ in Mandarin? How much is going to cost me to ship this parcel across the Pacific? Where even is the post office? And for many, these simple questions are enough to stop them from exercising their most fundamental right as Americans – voting.
According to FVAP’s 2020 data, there were around 550,000 eligible voters in the Asia Pacific Region. The same data showed that voting absentee from the Asia Pacific was an outlier, not the norm. And these votes can have real consequence. Georgia went to Joe Biden by less than 12,000 votes, Arizona by 10,500. There are over 7,000 Americans residing in Indonesia with an additional 4,000 in Malaysia, 1,000 in Brunei, and 600 and 120 in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, respectively (FVAP, 2020). Americans living abroad can be the margin of victory.
…which is why we need your help. We need phone bankers to help call Democrats living in the Asia Pacific region and cheer them along the voting race. Help us call American voters wherever they may AP. Join us and DA Indonesia (CC in formation) on January 28th to learn how.
Bi-weekly Meetings - Global Disability Caucus Steering Committee
Join the bi-weekly meetings of the Global Disability Caucus (GDC). Please RSVP below to receive the meeting link!
We are dedicated to building a stronger Democrats Abroad - by making all information, events and activities more accessible and being more cognizant of, and sensitive to, disability issues.
In addition to Democrats Abroad members with disabilities, we welcome and encourage the involvement of supporters of our members and our issues. We hope to form an inclusive, diverse, active and effective community which provides fulfilling experiences for all.
Please check the Global Disability Caucus Wiki-Page or the DemsAbroad Global Calendar to find future dates for these meetings and other GDC events!
Consider making a donation to HELP get out the vote in 2022. Donate TODAY at: https://www.democratsabroad.org/dc-donations
The Future is Accessible!
Call for Applications: Global Team Leaders
As we move towards 2022 and 2024, Democrats Abroad’s International Executive Committee is determined to make our systems and structures even more diverse, professional, and sustainable––and ultimately more effective for our work ahead.
In order to do so, we continue building robust global teams and invite you to become a part of them through this call for applications! Our goal is to have an inclusive, transparent, and fair appointment process. We need you to be a part of our work!
Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. EDT on December 6, 2021, and after consulting with the DA International Committee, the DA International Chair will make appointments thereafter. All members of Democrats Abroad are encouraged to apply and to share the call for applications with other U.S. citizens who might be interested.
If you are not interested in acting as the team lead but rather in a supporting role, we still encourage you to contact us at [email protected] and share a bit about yourself. Thank you!
Available Positions
Deputy International Secretary (3 positions, one for each of DA's regions)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Get-Out-The-Vote Coordinator (Applicants from Americas Region only)
International Treasurer (Applicants from Americas and Asia-Pacific Regions only)
Leadership Development Coordinator
Membership Engagement Coordinator
Democrats Abroad is committed to the values and practices of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, with opportunities to provide and the ability to take feedback and learn. It is our policy to recruit, train, promote, and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, pregnancy, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity, disability, or any other legally protected basis.
DOJ Sues Uber for Overcharging People with Disabilities
Fellow Democrats Abroad, did you know that in the United States if you have a disability, you have a right to accommodations when using App-based rides services like Uber and Lyft? If you are being charged fees because it takes you longer to get to your ride, then that may be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act or other applicable laws or regulations. The US Department of Justice has sued Uber for this kind of practice. Uber has denied any wrongdoing. However, if you have a disability and think that you were charged unfairly as a result, then make sure to let your driver know that you took longer to get to the vehicle because of your disability and ask them to let Uber know and to waive the fee. Remember though that Uber makes the policies, not the drivers.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) / Office of Public Affairs (OPA) / JUSTICE NEWS
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Justice Department Sues Uber for Overcharging People with Disabilities https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-uber-overcharging-people-disabilities
The Justice Department today filed an ADA lawsuit against Uber for charging “wait time” fees to passengers who, because of disability, take longer than two minutes to get in their Uber car. Individuals who believe they have been victims of disability discrimination by Uber because they, or someone they were traveling with, were charged wait time fees should contact the Justice Department at 833-591-0425 (toll-free), 202-305-6786, or send an email to [email protected]. For more information about the ADA, call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or access the ADA website at ada.gov.
~The United States Department of Justice
LIVE 1-on-1 Voter Assistance for U.S. Citizens Abroad - Georgia Runoff
Scroll down and click on the dates below to RSVP and get connection details and reminders.
Did you know every eligible American living abroad can vote in U.S. elections?
Was the last place you or your parent lived in the US the state of Georgia?
If you are 18 on or before January 5th you are allowed to vote in the runoff election.
Do you have questions about how to vote? Click the chat bubble at the bottom of this screen and we can help you find the answers.
But we get it. Sometimes you just want to speak to live person.
Join us Tuesday & Thursday (noon-4pm January 5th & 7th. All time are listed as U.S. Eastern time. Our volunteers and standing by LIVE on Zoom to help answers questions you have about voting from abroad and curing your ballot.
How is it done on Zoom? You'll come into the main room and be paired 1:1 with a volunteer into a breakout room to ensure privacy and that you can get all your questions answered. It couldn't be easier.
More information: The easiest way to request your ballot is at VoteFromAbroad.org. It takes just a few minutes to complete and send in your form to the US state where you last lived. The website will guide you step by step. In most cases it’s pretty simple. But if you’re new to voting abroad, or if you haven’t done it in a while, you may have additional questions. That’s why we’ll be here every Sunday until election day to help.
If you can’t make the 'office hours', you can always email us at [email protected] or send in your question through our online help bubble, and a volunteer will get back to you.
Here is a handy website to convert the time zone to yours wherever you are in the world.
Zoom Connection Details:
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91090344003
Meeting number: 910 9034 4003
PassWord: Vote2020
Tuesday & Thursday: Noon-4pm (U.S. Eastern)
January 5th and 7th
DAROK CAREs about Your Taxes
Getting out the vote in this crucial election under the current circumstances is going to require new or expanded methods for reaching Americans living abroad and delivering the votes in close elections we’re known for.
While there is no donation requirement to attend, we hope you’ll consider a donation of $10 - and help reach around 50 potential voters!
Thank you for your support - we look forward to you joining the webinar!
Donations for this event will go to the Democratic Party Committee Abroad and will be used for Democrats Abroad's global Get Out the Vote campaign.
Donations are to Democrats Abroad (Democratic Party Committee Abroad) and not to any candidate for Federal Office.
Donate