Antivaxxers have long misappropriated symbols of the Holocaust, such as the Yellow Star of David, to liken their "persecution" to the real persecution of the Jews by the Nazis. References Responses up to 28 February 2021 (14,491 responses) were used to inform the development of . They are moms, dads, sons, daughters, sisters . Background: It is first important to understand that many people do not consider being deaf or having hearing loss as a disability. If a medical diagnosis is not available, use quotes around the term and indicate that a diagnosis has not been confirmed. They also are sometimes called “assistance animals,” “guide dogs,” or “Seeing Eye dogs.” NCDJ Recommendation: When referring to a cochlear implant, avoid describing it as a corrective device or one that would restore a deaf person to mainstream society. According to the National Institute on Aging, other dementias include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal disorders and vascular dementia. For more information, consult the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section. Do no touch, address, or feed a service animal unless you have the person's permission. The stylebook suggests using terms such as “mentally disabled,” “intellectually disabled” and “developmentally disabled.”, See also Intellectual disabilities/intellectually disabled, See entry on Dwarf, little person/midget/short stature, Background: The term was commonly used in the late 19th century to refer to people who had Down syndrome, due to the similarity of some of the physical characteristics of the disorder to Eastern Asian people, who were called Mongoloid, according to the Oxford English dictionary. At some point in our lives, most of us will develop a disability, know someone who has one, or both. For more information on mental illness, see the National Institute for Mental Health. NCDJ Recommendation: Use the words “psychotic” and “psychosis” only when they accurately describe a medical experience. Whenever possible, specify the specific illness a person has rather than mental illness in general. Although my life remained vibrant, no achievement in work or family could eliminate the . News reports covering sensitive topics, such as abuse, assault, addiction, suicide, combat and violence, frequently contain descriptive scenarios that can deeply effect audiences. NWADAC maintains a fully accessible website with an accessibility statement describing our commitment to accessible web content (specifically the WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 – W3C developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative). Background: A chronic illness is defined by the National Health Council as a health condition lasting three months or longer and includes conditions such as cancer or heart disease. Chronic illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, lupus or Crohn’s disease may fall into the category of invisible disabilities. Instead use the word “condition” and try to identify the specific diagnosis if possible. It is the most common neural tube defect in the U.S. In the UK it seems that there is a bit of a culture around not wanting to say the wrong thing and unintentionally cause offence. AP style: Not addressed except to state that homebound and housebound are one word with no hyphens. It is characterized by unusually intense shifts in emotion, energy, behavior and activity levels in what are called “mood episodes.” Such episodes are usually classified as manic, hypomanic, depressive or mixed episodes. Office Hours Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Connect With Us 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024 Phone: (202) 730-1700 Fax: (202) 730-1843 Some people with mild, moderate hearing loss may affiliate themselves with the Deaf community and prefer to be referred to as “deaf” instead of “hard of hearing.” Alternatively, some who are profoundly deaf may prefer the term “hard of hearing.”. Background: According to the National Association for Gifted Children, giftedness is characterized by the capacity to perform above the level of one’s peers. Epilepsy is most commonly treated with medication but treatment also can include use of medical devices, surgery, diet and emerging therapy methods. Certain communities, such as the Muscular Dystrophy community and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy community, have embraced the term, but others argue that interabled relationships are relationships just like any other and should not be marked as different. At times, words that are considered outdated may be appropriate because of the story’s historical context. Background: According to the University of Kansas Research & Training Center on Independent Living, “disfigurement refers to physical changes caused by burns, trauma, disease or congenital conditions.”. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as having schizophrenia only if the information is relevant to the story and you’re confident there is a medical diagnosis. AP style: Although there is no entry for service animal, the style book takes note of the Seeing Eye dog trademark and says “guide dog” is prefered in all references. Consider using people-first language, stating that someone “has epilepsy” or “has been diagnosed with epilepsy” rather than referring to him or her as an “epileptic.” The term “seizure” is preferred when referring to the brief manifestation of symptoms common among those with epilepsy. But as actually disabled people will tell you, their disabilities are a vital part of who they are. Many people with chronic illnesses do not consider themselves disabled and thus may be offended by the term. Avoid referring to “the disabled” in the same way that you would avoid referring to “the Asians,” “the Jews” or “the African Americans.” When describing individuals, do not reference disabilities unless it is clearly pertinent to the story. It calls for use of a lower case “d” in all usages. The average height of a dwarf is 4’0.”. A minimally conscious state is one in which a patient has some awareness of self and/or the environment. While many children outgrow stuttering, a small percentage of adults stutter as well. AP style: Not specifically addressed, but AP refers to paraplegia in its general disability entry. Use “recovering” to refer to someone with the disease of addiction, as in “someone recovering from alcoholism.”. Language evolves and grows over time. Its chief symptoms include difficulties with spelling, reading, pronunciation of words and processing auditory information. See also Insane/insanity/mentally deranged/psychopathology. This book synthesizes a pioneering body of work on disability sensitivity for the 21stCentury, where technological, medical and legislative breakthroughs have changed the game for people with disabilities. Email: nwadactr@uw.edu. NCDJ Recommendation: Do not use the term retarded or other iterations. The "Oppressive Language List" at Brandeis University could have come from countless other colleges, advocacy groups, or human-resources offices. AP style: Not directly addressed, although the style book recommends avoiding using disability-related words lightly or in unrelated situations. , No. It often is caused by a spinal cord or brain injury and is characterized by the loss of sensory and motor function. Found insideLanguages of Moral Knowledge and Institutional Critique Daniel Pateisky ... That one thing I have also noticed is that they have also coined, they are trying to coin I think it's much more respectful ((um)) to address PwDs. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. AP style: Addressed in entry for “Trauma,” suggesting that “traumatic brain injury” is an acceptable use of the word “trauma.”, Background: A caregiver is an individual who “provides direct care” to people with disabilities and others, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as having “dissociative identity disorder” only if the information is relevant to the story and if you’re confident there is a medical diagnosis. It is a common learning disability among children, although adolescents and adults with dyslexia often exhibit symptoms as well. This practice is usually referred to as people first" language. The BBC and The Conversation both have well-considered takes on it. Do not say the person “had a fit” or “had an epileptic fit.”. Referring to someone who does not have a disability as a “normal person” implies that people with disabilities are deviant or strange. Dare to Dream discusses critical topics for young people with hidden disabilties, such as self-advocating, developing positive relationships with mentors, planning for college, successful working life, interpersonal skills, and satisfying ... When expressed freely among peers, this phrase can have a lifesaving effect on youth who are vulnerable to bullying's most dangerous outcomes: depression, isolation, anxiety, and fear. For Instead, always try to specify the type of disability being referenced. NCDJ Recommendation: Ask the person with a disability how they prefer to be described; if that’s not possible, ask a spokesperson for the organization representing the relevant disability for preferred terminology. This style guide, which covers dozens of words and terms commonly used when referring to disability, can help. Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, 2021. However, whenever possible, ask the individual which term they prefer. Don’t use the term “SPED” as shorthand for special education. Programs in Disability Studies should encourage a curriculum that allows students, activists, teachers, artists, practitioners, and researchers to engage the subject matter from various disciplinary perspectives.”. NCDJ Recommendation: The terms “service animal,”” assistance animal” and “guide dog” all are acceptable. A nonverbal person would theoretically communicate with the help of a facilitator by typing on a keyboard, pointing to an image, or pointing to letters on an alphabet board. NCDJ Recommendation: Do not use these words, particularly when reporting on mental illness, unless they are part of a quote that is essential to the story. This condition also has been called “long haul” and people with it, “long haulers.”. Oregon Medicaid COVID-19 Provider Guide Sept. 2, 2021 2 . . This book takes about ninety minutes to read, and it will stretch your vision of what it is to be human.”—Andrew Solomon, The Times (U.K.) “Extraordinary, moving, and jeweled with epiphanies.”—The Boston Globe “Small but ... Avoid use of “Seeing Eye dog” as Seeing Eye is a registered trademark of The Seeing Eye school in Morristown, N.J. Be aware that licensure and/or certification of service animals is a contentious issue in the disability community, so it may be best to refer to the federal definition. August 20, 2021 (Special Broadcast) New Jersey Department of Education and New Jersey Department of Health Update School Year 2021-2022 Health and Safety Guidance. Background: Down syndrome is a congenital condition caused by the presence of an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21 in an individual’s cell nuclei. However, advocates support the device for suitable candidates. Another note — this time about the language around COVID-19. The language around COVID-19 is evolving. In the past, we have encouraged journalists and others to use person-first language (such as, “a person who has Down syndrome” rather than “a Down syndrome person”) as a default. People-first language emphasizes the person, not the disability, by placing a reference to the person or group before the reference to the disability. Physical deformities can arise from a number of causes, including genetic mutations, various disorders, amputations and complications in utero or at birth. The term “special education” is still widely used when referring to public school programs, although some government entities use titles like “exceptional student services.”. But what is “relevant” is not always clear. Use language that respects disabled people as active individuals with control over their own lives. Jonas Salk introduced the polio vaccine in the 1950s, which drastically reduced cases of polio in the U.S. Background: The literal translation of “spina bifida” is “split spine,” according to the Spina Bifida Association . A mobility device is a part of the individual's personal space. NCDJ Recommendation: Use “Tourette syndrome” with no possessive or capitalization of “syndrome.” Refer to someone as “having Tourette syndrome” only if the information is relevant to the story and if you’re confident there has been a medical diagnosis. Consider using people-first language, stating that someone is “a person with schizophrenia,” “a person living with schizophrenia,” or “a person diagnosed with schizophrenia” rather than a “schizophrenic” or “a schizophrenic person.” Do not use the word “schizophrenic” colloquially as a synonym for something inconsistent or contradictory. The preference is to ask the person or someone who knows them for the exact description of their communication skills and preferences. Consider universal design when planning activities. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid terms like “disorder” or “defect,” which are considered derogatory. For similar reasons, there is disagreement about characterizing disease or illness as a “battle,” as in “to battle cancer.” These arguments surfaced after U.S. Instead ask them to repeat it or to write it down. Disability etiquette promotes goodwill and respect among all people. NCDJ Recommendation: When writing about Tiffany Yu’s group, use “Diversability” as a proper name. Be sensitive when using words like “disorder,” “impairment,” “abnormality” and “special” to describe the nature of a disability. In general, avoid using “able-bodied’ except in a quote. Individuals with learning disabilities have average or above average intelligence, and the term does not include a learning problem that is primarily the result of another cause, such as intellectual disabilities or lack of educational opportunity.”, NCDJ Recommendation: Use “learning disability” when you’re confident there is a medical diagnosis. The words you use and the way you portray individuals with disabilities matters. The Autism Self Advocacy Network details this debate. Alcoholism is characterized by a loss of control in alcohol use, according to the American Psychiatric Association. "Canadian Media Needs to Take Further Steps in Recognizing Diverse Preferences in Disability Language." J Source: The Canadian Journalism Project, November 29, 2019. Background: According to the University of Kansas Research & Training Center on Independent Living, learning disability “describes a neurologically based condition that may manifest itself as difficulty learning and using skills in reading (called dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), mathematics (dyscalculia) and other cognitive processes due to differences in how the brain processes information. This style guide, which covers dozens of words and terms commonly used when referring to disability, can help. Background: Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that results in a stature below 4’10,” according to Little People of America. AP style: “Disabled” is described as a general term for a physical, mental, developmental or intellectual disability. Others prefer it to “disabled” because “dis” means “not,” which means that “disabled” means “not able.” But particularly when it comes to referring to individuals, “differently abled” is problematic. 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