Disability and Mental Health

Overview

The term disability is expansive and covers a wide range of lived experiences, making it impossible to prescribe permanent guidance on the use of disability language. Notably, since disability is always co-occurrent with other identities, intersectionality is especially important when considering both the language of disability and the experience of disability identity. The recommendations in this section are based on current understandings of preferred language usage, but we encourage the university community to be mindful that preferences vary widely among communities and individuals, many of whom may not self-identify with disability terminology.

Avoid using disability-related words lightly, in unrelated situations, or colloquially. For example, avoid using “bipolar” as an adjective to describe something that rapidly changes or “OCD” to mean detail oriented. This kind of usage is inaccurate, offensive, and perpetuates disability stigma.

Currently, the dominant preferences in the language of disability are between person-first language (e.g., “person with a disability”) and identity-first language (e.g., “disabled person”). Person-first language has been championed in an effort to distance individuals from negative perceptions of impairment and emphasize their humanity by grammatically placing the person before the disability.

However, one critique of person-first language is that “by separating the person from the identity, person-first language implicitly indicates that disability is an undesirable characteristic…[and thus] may have inadvertently overcorrected and further stigmatized disability.” (Andrews, E. E., Powell, R. M., & Ayers, K. (2022). The evolution of disability language: Choosing terms to describe disability. Disability and Health Journal, 15(3), 101328–101328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2022.101328)

Different members of these communities have different preferences between person-first and identity-first language, and thus, it is best to defer to individual preferences where possible. Where you may be unsure, defer to the language used by leading spokespeople for the groups you are referencing.

Note on AP Style

While the recent edition of the APA has done work to become more accessible, it is important to note that the work is ongoing. The APA is still very print media-focused in terms of its font properties, including the recommended font sizes. It is best practice that for items intended to be read on the web, that font be no smaller than 12pt with the preference for 16pt. This is because the larger font sizes increase the visibility of the text on a screen and can also prevent eyestrain.

What to Say and What Not to Say

Say This	Not This	Here's Why
Non-disabled, does not have a disability	Able-bodied	Though able-bodied may be appropriate in some cases (such as when referring to government reports on the proportion of able-bodied members of the workforce), the term can imply that disabled people lack the ability to use their bodies well. “Non-disabled" and “does not have a disability" are more neutral choices.
	Abnormal	Avoid using “abnormal" or “abnormality" to describe a person. It is derogatory, as these words imply that disabled people are deviant or strange.
Has [disability]	Afflicted with, sufferers, suffers from, stricken with	Not all disabled people suffer, are victims, or have a reduced quality of life. Use neutral language and simply state the facts about the nature of the disability.
Someone with an amputation	Amputee	The term “amputee" may be offensive and is often used incorrectly.
Autistic person*, Autistic, Neurodivergent, Neurotypical (for non-autistic), Allistic (for non-autistic)	Aspie, person with autism	In the Autism community, self-advocates largely promote the use of identity-first language when referring to Autistic people because it understands autism as a part of the individual's identity. While some people prefer person-first language, it can have the effect of further stigmatizing autism or framing autism as a disease. The Autism Self Advocacy Network details this debate. When possible, ask individuals their preference.
Someone who uses a wheelchair, Wheelchair user	Confined to a Wheelchair, wheelchair-bound	These terms imply that using a wheelchair confine or otherwise limits a person who uses a wheelchair.
	Cripple, crip	Avoid these terms unless referring specifically to activist movements that have reclaimed the use of the word “crip,” as in general usage it is offensive.
Deaf*, deaf, or Hard of Hearing (HoH)	Deaf-Dumb, Deaf-Mute, Hearing Impaired	Many people in the Deaf community prefer the use of a lowercase “d” to refer to audiological status and the use of a capital “D” when referring to the culture and community of Deaf people. The National Association of the Deaf supports the use of identity-first language.
Disabled	Euphemisms (e.g., handicapped, special needs, differently-abled, handicapable)	Though often coined by nondisabled people in an attempt to be less offensive, euphemisms are “largely rejected by the disability community as superficial, infantilizing, and patronizing.” “Disabled” and “disability” are not offensive terms, and are widely preferred by both state and international organization (e.g., WHO, National Council on Disability) and disabled people (as evidenced by social media campaigns like #SayTheWord).
Seizure, someone who has epilepsy/has been diagnosed with epilepsy	Epileptic fit, an epileptic	The term “seizure” refers to the manifestation of symptoms common among those with epilepsy. Do not say the person “had a fit” or “had an epileptic fit.”
	High/Low Functioning	Avoid the use of functioning labels, which are dismissive and reductive of a person’s abilities. When necessary, use medical diagnoses and describe an individual’s unique abilities and challenges.
Person with a Developmental Disability, Person with an Intellectual Disability, Person with Down Syndrome, Intellectually or Developmentally Disabled	Retarded, Feeble-minded, Slow/Delayed, Developmental delay, Mentally deficient, Stupid, Dumb, Dimwitted, Idiot	The terms “mentally retarded,” “retard” and “mental retardation” were once common terms that are now considered outdated and offensive. If you are using these terms in a historical context, attribute the term and note its historic use.
Short stature, little person, someone with dwarfism	Midget, dwarf, vertically challenged	"Dwarf” is only appropriate when used to refer to a medical diagnosis. “Midget” is widely considered a derogatory slur, but was used historically. If you are using these terms in a historical context, attribute the term and note its historic use.
Nonspeaking, doesn’t communicate verbally	Nonverbal, mute	“Nonverbal” implies that someone does not understand language, whereas nonspeaking individuals may understand and use language in different ways (such as through American Sign Language).
Someone who has paraplegia/quadriplegia	A paraplegic, a quadriplegic	Avoid language that defines someone by their condition. When possible, ask people how they would like to be described.
Psychiatric disability/diagnosis, Mad*, psychosocial disability, person with [specific diagnosis/disability]	Psychotic, Mad, Crazy, Demented, Mental, Loony, Nutjob, Nutso, Whacko, Psychopath, Crazed, Psycho, Deranged, Lunatic, Insane	These terms are offensive and should not be used colloquially. Use the words “psychotic” and “psychosis” only when they accurately describe a medical experience. Avoid using “psychotic” as an adjective to describe a person; instead refer to a person as “having a psychotic condition” or “experiencing a psychosis.” *Note that “Mad” has been reclaimed and there is a Mad pride movement.
Comatose, non-responsive, or use a medical professional’s diagnosis	Vegetable	The term “vegetative state” refers to a specific condition and is often used incorrectly. Avoid referring to someone as “a vegetable,” as this language is dehumanizing and offensive.