While language is a wonderful communication tool, it can also be a weapon. We have no idea how the things we say can impact another person- whether what we said was meant to be offensive or not. Some words carry more power than others. For instance, words like “retard/retarded”, “cripple”, and “handicapped” carry a lot of negative and disrespectful undertones.
Some justify that it’s okay to use these words when not talking to or about a person with a disability. However, using these kinds of words out of habit can lead to us unintentionally disrespecting or hurting another’s feelings. It can be hard to break a habit, especially with the words we use in our everyday conversations! But by being aware and conscious of what you say can help you move away from negative words.
A good way to break a habit when it comes to language is to find a “replacement word” or “phrase”. For instance, when something doesn’t go our way or when we think something is ridiculous, some people would call that situation “retarded”. Rather than using this word, you can call the situation a “conundrum” or “dilemma” or even “foolish” in order to express your frustration. This way, you are still expressing your emotions and conveying the message you intended to convey without disrespecting anyone else.
Students With Disabilities Writing Prompt #1
No matter the scenario, why would it not be acceptable to use words like “retard/retarded”, “cripple”, and “handicapped” ? How do you think using such words is disrespectful to people with disabilities? If you or someone you know uses these kinds of words, what can you do in order to help them/yourself move away from using this type of vocabulary? What are some other words that you would feel comfortable using instead? Write your thoughts in 1-2 paragraphs.
Download Students With Disabilities Writing Prompt #1: Language (English) here.
Download Students With Disabilities Writing Prompt #1: Language (Spanish) here.