Why it is ableist

People with disabilities adapt themselves to their reality without necessarily acquire these traits. We should consider whether the individual or situation merits these terms beyond disability.

Why it is ableist

Disabilities are not necessarily a reason of affliction or suffer, but a condition of someone's existance. And because of that, people with disabilities should not be seen as victims.

Why it is ableist

Rather than emphasizing a condition and defining people by Down syndrome, it's more respectful to emphasize the fact that people who have this condition are first and foremost just that — people

Why it is ableist

In the past, people who had Down syndrome were often referred to in terms of "Mongolian idiocy" or "Mongolian imbecility", which is a very inappropriate diagnosis.

Why it is ableist

People with disabilities are normal, healthy and have integrity, no matter their condition. Treating only people who not have a disability as "normal" creates a barrier to inclusion.

Why it is ableist

Rather than defining people by the abilities we presume they have or not, it's more respectful to emphasize the fact that people who have a disability are first and foremost just that — people

Why it is ableist

This is a very old term that was put in desuse since the 70s. It's seen as pejorative, since today we have better words that don't create labels or stimulate social exclusion for people who have mobility impairments.

Why it is ableist

The term "dwarf" limits the person to their condition. And midget is a label used to refer to people of short stature who were on public display for curiosity, sport and spectacle, which also dehumanize them.

Why it is ableist

Mental health is still a social taboo, and we must look at many other things to the people outside of their mental diagnosis. People with mental health issues have far more sides to them than their illnesses or conditions.

Why it is ableist

These words further negative stereotypes about limitations that people with disabilities may have. Using “intellectual/cognitive/developmental disability” is more accurate and accepting. 

Why it is ableist

Take care with the use of this term! We can use "deaf" as an adjective, for a descriptive intent. But whenever we're talking about the community and culture, it's important to capitalize the D. 

Why it is ableist

The word “impaired” means “weakened or damaged” - what put the focus of the expression on what people can’t do and suggests that something needs fixing.

Why it is ableist

It's pretty rare for a deaf person to be unable to vocalize, but if they are (or if they choose not to vocalize speech), they have the ability or verbalizing their ideas with other resources than only spoken language.

Why it is ableist

We can use "blind" in a descriptive way (please learn if this is a term the person is OK with), but not to label people or their capacity. And don't use blind in your speech for negative punch (meaning unaware or ignorant). 

Why it is ableist

Both person-first (my son has autism) Identity-first (my son is autistic) descriptions are well-accepted by the community, but it's disrespectful to take any of them to say something negative about a person. 

Why it is ableist

These words are not outright insults, but they evoke pity or limitations, suggesting that people are literally and physically tied to their wheelchair (as if they never get out of it for any reason).

Why it is ableist

People with physical disabilities are unfairly labeled by their medical condition. People are people, not conditions. 

Why it is ableist

A designated space for people with disability is described as ‘accessible’. They are the only option for people with disability, so investigate what type of access they offer and don't use them if you don't have a disability.