Language and disability

 

This article suggests ways in which the language we use shapes our understanding of disability and the relationships between disabled and non-disabled people.

By Martin Hobgen

 

Direct language about disability and disabled people

The most obvious way language that shapes how we understand disability and disabled people is to recall vocabulary that was once common. Words such as ‘handicapped’, ‘cripple’, ‘spastic’, ‘deaf and dumb’, ‘mongol’ were once commonplace but are now viewed negatively. This terminology has been largely replaced by ‘disabled person’ or ‘person with a disability’, although there is no consensus on which of these terms is most appropriate. There has also been a move towards using specific language, rather than the generalising phrase ‘the disabled’, to refer to people with either physical or intellectual disabilities or specific conditions such as cerebral palsy. It is important to use language that is positive but realistic, such as ‘person who uses a wheelchair’ or ‘wheelchair user’ rather than ‘person confined to a wheelchair.’

The language used can be subtly linked to the way disability is understood. For instance the phrase ‘A person who has a disability’ can be taken to understand that a person has or possesses a characteristic which is disability, such as using a wheelchair. This is linked to a medical understanding of disability, discussed in another article on this website. The phrase ‘A person who is disabled’ can be taken to understand that a person experiences attitudes and actions that disable them. This is linked to a social understanding of disability, discussed in another article on this website.
 

Indirection language about disability and disabled people

At other times we use language that does not directly relate to disability and disabled people but may shape our understanding or influence the relationships between disabled and non-disabled people.

Within our Baptist tradition there are two historically important phrases that describe our covenant relationships in our local congregation. We say that we ‘walk together’ and ‘watch over one another’ as we live out our faith together. While these have become significant ways of describing the nature of our congregational communities they may prove problematic for those people who cannot physically walk or see. The issue is further complicated when ‘walk’ is used in both descriptive and metaphorical ways in scripture, and the use is not always clear. To these metaphors could be added those referring to hearing, such as talking about ‘hearing God’s voice’, which may be problematic for those who cannot hear, both Deaf and deafened. For people who cannot stand then the descriptive language of ‘Please stand’ can be problematic. Wheelchair users can be ‘standing’ in God’s presence even if they are seated.

There are other less obvious ways that our use of language can shape our understanding of disability. Metaphors relating to how we describe God can suggest that we see power and the exercising of power by non-disabled people as being the norm. This can reinforce the view that disabled people, who do not or cannot exercise power over their lives, as being weak and passive. This negative view of disability can be reinforced when disability is used as a metaphor for something else, for instance ‘men are emotional cripples.’

Relational Language

One of the implications of the Individual/Medical Model is that the language used to describe disability and disabled people is dominated by medical terminology and isolates the individual from others. The language of ‘patient’ and ‘carer’ creates and asymmetric relationship even when the people referred to are family members of friends. The language of ‘carer’ is often used by organisations when offering discounts to disabled people and their companions. Even when disabled people are independent a companion may be necessary in order to respond in case of an emergency.

There is a related article on this website which suggests a relational understanding of disability which emphasise the importance of friendships.
 

Questions

• How significant do you think the way we use language is for our understanding of disability?
• How might we be more inclusive in the way we use language that relates to disability and disabled people?
• How might people who become disabled use different language to those who have been disabled since birth?
• How might we make it clear whether ‘walk’, ‘see’, ‘hear’ and ‘stand’ are being used descriptively or metaphorically?
• How might we use language that brings disabled and non-disabled closer together and fosters inclusive relationships?

---

Want to comment on this reflection? Please leave your thoughts via this contact form.

Some comments may be shared below.