THE LANGUAGE
OF DISABILITY
WORD POWER
Many of us struggle to know how to speak to people with a disability in our clubs and classes . Fitness professional and disability advocate Carol Syer provides some simple do ' s and don ’ ts when it comes to the language of disability .
I n my thirty-plus years working in fitness , I have witnessed our industry grow and mature , and as it ’ s done so , it has become more aware and more inclusive . We have become better educated , and with that knowledge we are becoming more welcoming for people with disability .
Having spent my life living with someone with a disability , I have never really stumbled over correct language or worried about what to say or do around a person with disability . I often see this awkwardness in others , however , though usually not through any fault of their own . The fact is , we simply don ’ t know what we don ’ t know . With clear and friendly communication being essential to the facilitation of safe and effective exercise delivery , it ’ s worth our while paying some attention to the topic . Here , I ’ ll explore the role of language and provide some easy-to-understand do ' s and don ’ ts when it comes to the language of disability .
Firstly , I want to make it very clear , I do not speak for anyone with a disability - no one can . Every person with a disability is an individual , and there is no check list of ‘ say this but don ’ t say that ’ that will cover every person and every situation . The most important thing to remember is individuality . People with disability are professors , teachers , doctors , cleaners , factory workers , unemployed , advocates , mothers , uncles : they are unique .
The power of words
Can you think of a word that was used to describe you at some stage in your life that you hated , or offended you ? I can . I was a small-built child and my older brother called me ‘ Skinny Ribs ’, not in a fun big brotherly way , but in a ‘ I ’ m teasing you mercilessly ’ way , and said with offence . Working in the fitness industry I have heard the word skinny used in many ways , from ‘ You ’ re lucky you ’ re so skinny ’ to ‘ Oh you can eat anything you want because you ’ re so skinny ’. People think they are paying a compliment , but I find the word offensive because I always wanted to be more muscly .
I know , first world problems , but can you imagine a word used to describe you every day , several times a day , that you don ’ t want to be associated with constantly ? That ’ s how my daughter Caitlin feels . She has an intellectual disability , but it doesn ’ t define her . A young adult going about her life like everyone else , she gets sick of the word ‘ disability ’ and just wants to be seen for herself .
The problem with ableism
Ableism is a term used to describe favouring neurotypical people while excluding and devaluing people living with disability . As such , ableist language is offensive to people with disability . Negative , abusive , derogatory language about disability is ableist . Some words can be offensive in one context , but inoffensive in another . For example , if I use the word ‘ normal ’ to describe my regular morning routine , that ’ s fine , but if I ’ m referring to a person with disability and I compare them or the program or school , for example , to the normal person , program or school , that is offensive . If , for example , you offered an all-abilities children ’ s class in your facility , but told people that if they didn ’ t want their kids to attend it , that ’ s OK because you also offer a normal kids ’ class , that would be highly offensive . It ’ s great that you offer the allabilities class , but your language around it can thwart your best efforts at making your club more inclusive .
24 | NETWORK SUMMER 2021