General writing guidelines for technology and people with disabilities

ABSTRACT

The recommendations in this article reflect current thinking on language for writing in the academic accessibility community. Certain words or phrases can (intentionally or unintentionally) reflect bias or negative, disparaging, or patronizing attitudes toward people with disabilities and in fact any identifiable group of people. Because language can convey these things, it can influence our impressions, attitudes, and even actions. Choosing language that is neutral, accurate, and represents the preference of the groups to which it refers can convey respect and integrity.

REFERENCES

• 1: Just Ask: Integrating Accessibility Throughout Design by Shawn Lawton. http://www.uiaccess.com/accessucd/interact.html
• 2: Terminology Guidelines, Ability Magazine. http://www.abilitymagazine.com/terminology.html
• 3: Guidelines for Non-Handicapping Language in APA Journals, APA Online. http://www.apastyle.org/disabilities.html
• 4: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know (But Been Afraid to Ask) About Interacting with People with Disabilities, MTV's Think http://www.mtv.com/thinkmtv/features/discrimination/murderball/index3.jhtml#terminology
• 5: Don't call me handicapped! http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3708576
• 6: Padden, C., & Humphries, T. (1988). Deaf in America: Voices from a culture. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• 7: List of disability-related terms with negative connotations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_disability-related_terms_with_negative_connotations
• 8: BBC Ouch! http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/yourspace/worstwords/
• 9: World Health Organization (WHO) http://whqlibdoc.who.int/bulletin/2001/issue11/bul-11- 2001/79(11)1047-1055.pdf

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.4 SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors