Inclusion means respecting people in all their diversity and enabling them to participate on an equal footing – including in day-to-day working life and when working together as a team. Language plays a key role in this. Here are some tips on how to phrase things.
“It’s not about changing people, but changing the system. People are fine just as they are. Everyone has the right to be treated ‘normally’ and with respect.” That is the motto of Scott McDonald, Chair of the General Representative Body for People with Severe Disabilities at REWE and PENNY Markt GmbH. Treating one another with respect also involves how we speak to and about one another. After all, language always reveals how we think – and sometimes simply how thoughtless we are.
Inclusion means that everyone – regardless of their differences – can take part in all areas of life. Whether it’s school, work, leisure activities – or public transport.
No two people are alike. But every person is of equal worth – just as valuable as anyone else. Whether with or without a disability: differences are recognised and respected. This is expressed not only through accessible entrances, Braille on lifts or consideration during job interviews, but most visibly and audibly through language.
‘People with disabilities’ instead of ‘the disabled person’
(focuses on the person, avoids reducing them to a single characteristic)
‘Person in a wheelchair’ instead of ‘confined to a wheelchair’
(neutral, factual; avoids inaccurate and negative portrayals)
‘has a visual and/or hearing impairment’ or ‘is deafblind’
instead of phrasing that problematises or dramatises the situation
(factual and descriptive; respects self-identification)
‘barrier-free’ / ‘accessible to all’ rather than ‘accessible despite a disability’
(focuses not on the disability, but on the design of the environment)
‘inclusive school / workplace’ instead of ‘normal’ vs ‘not normal’
(avoids judgemental distinctions)
‘need for support’ instead of ‘problem’
(objective, not deficit-oriented)
‘has …’ instead of ‘suffers from …’
(not every disability or impairment is perceived as a form of suffering)
Tips for the conversation
1. Ask if you’re unsure (“How would you like to be addressed?”)
2. Don’t talk at each other – talk to each other
3. Don’t draw unnecessary attention to a disability (“For someone who… that was really good”)
4. Respect self-identifiers (for example, some people with disabilities deliberately use the word ‘disabled’)
Inclusion means:
Everyone belongs. Not at some point in the future. Not under certain conditions. But right from the start. Because inclusion isn’t a ‘nice to have’, but a ‘must be’. That’s why, in our communications, we ensure our content is accessible, provide subtitles for videos and use clear language.
But at the end of the day: respect and attitude count for more than perfect words. An open and appreciative attitude makes up for the odd imperfect turn of phrase.
#Inclusion #ForEveryone #Accessible
