Writing and Reporting on People with Disabilities

Our words carry weight and power whether we recognize it or not. They can be used to make extraordinary things happen and help us to form deep connections with other human beings, or they can be used to bring about pain and suffering. Our words can be extremely hurtful when we use them to talk poorly about other people, which happens all too often when it comes to the words that are spoken about people with disabilities. Though some people are coming from a malicious place when speaking about people with disabilities, personally I like to believe that this is a very small percentage, many are just not educated on the proper terminology. By speaking with person first language, putting emphasis on what a person is able to do, avoiding labels, and not equating a disability with an illness, we aren't viewing people with disabilities as being a separate minority group. In fact, we are giving them the respect that they deserve as human beings with their own strengths, weaknesses, hopes, and dreams.