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Special Olympics Language Guidelines - Words Matter!
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Words can open doors to enable persons with disabilities to lead fuller, more independent lives. Words can also create barriers or stereotypes that are demeaning to persons with disabilities and which rob them of their individuality. The following language guidelines have been developed by experts with mental retardation to ensure that all people are portrayed with individuality and dignity. These guidelines are for use by anyone writing or speaking about persons with disabilities.
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| Say this... |
Instead of this... |
| A person has mental retardation. |
is suffering from, is afflicted with, or is a victim of mental retardation.
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| Individuals, persons or people with mental retardation. |
mentally retarded people or the mentally retarded.
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| A person uses a wheelchair. |
is confined or restricted to a wheelchair.
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| Down Syndrome. |
"Down's Syndrome" and Mongoloid.
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| Distinguish between adults and children with mental retardation, or older or younger athletes. |
Don't call all Special Olympics athletes "kids".
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| Special Olympics athletes. |
Never put the word athletes in quotes.
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| Physically challenged or disabled. |
Crippled.
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| When writing, refer to persons with a disability by their full name and/or last name if you generally use that style with people's names. |
Don't refer to a person with a disability by his/her first name if others are referred to by their last name or "Mr. Smith". |
When referring to Special Olympics:
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- Use the words "Special Olympics, Inc." when referring to the worldwide Special Olympics program.
- Do not use the word "the" in front of Special Olympics unless describing a specific Special Olympics event or official.
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Other Terms to Avoid:
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- Do not use the word "unfortunate" when talking about persons with mental retardation. Disabling conditions do not have to be life-defining in a negative way.
- Do not sensationalize the accomplishment of persons with disabilities. People deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments in their own right. People in the disability rights movement have tried to make the public aware of the negative impact of referring to the achievements of persons with disabilities with exageration.
- Use the word "special" with extreme care when talking about persons with mental retardation. The term, if used superfluously, can become cliche in continuous reference to Special Olympics.
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