Words Have Power: Challenging Ableist Language | Online

Language matters. Word choices can either create or disrupt barriers to inclusion, uplift or demean differences, or sustain or disperse stereotypes about persons with disabilities. This is especially important in education, where all students need to be safe and respected in order to flourish academically and socially. Using ableist language does not make someone a bad person. It makes them human. But, if we have the ability to change our vocabulary for the better, why wouldn’t we? Let’s stand together in conscious effort to identify and stop using phrases that reinforce ableism. Words harm and that hurt is valid.