BASEBALL VICTORIA - COACHING ACCREDITATION July 2014 | Page 12

Language

The language used to describe people with a disability should be such that represents
them with dignity. It is important that people with a disability feel that they are part of
baseball club life and are not excluded through the inappropriate use of language.
Language that constructs people with disabilities as victims and focuses on the disability
and not the person is inappropriate. It is therefore important to put the person, not the
disability first.
Remember to;
Describe the person, not the disability
Do not the mention the persons disability unless it is relevant
Address the person, not their caregiver
Ask before offering assistance
Avoid images that evoke pity

Instead of saying:

Use:

Disabled, Crippled,
Handicapped
Crippled by….., Victim
of……
Confined by, bound to,

Person with a Disability

Person who uses a wheelchair

Deaf and Dumb, Deaf-mute

Person who is Deaf

Retarded, Mentally
Impaired
Physically Challenged

Person with a developmental or intellectual
disability
Person with a physical disability

Spastic

Person with cerebral palsy

Person with………

Tip: Avoid terms which are offensive or use of language that portrays
certain people in negative way.

“The journey around the bases is
different for everyone”