Accessible language

Avoid ableist language that privileges the nondisabled experience, or that discriminates against the disabled community. Ableist language often reinforces the systematic exclusion and oppression of people with disabilities.

Ableism can appear directly in language by referring to physical abilities, for example, "see this link" or "reach out for more information." It can also appear in figures of speech and euphemisms, such as "blind spot" or "fallen on deaf ears.” Write precisely what you mean instead of using analogies, metaphors, or euphemisms.

When you write about people with disabilities, focus on the person, not their disability.

📄️ Sight- and ability-based language

Avoid figurative language that refers to physical abilities when a more accurate term exists. For example, "reach out to us" is an idiomatic expression for "contact us" that implies that the reader has hands and arms for reaching out. When more precise language exists, such as "contact us," use that expression instead.

📄️ Disability-based language to avoid

Avoid the following words and phrases. Some of these terms have antiquated uses in technical contexts, whereas others are more applicable to everyday conversation or when writing about people with disabilities.