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ever since i realized a noticeable portion of my vocabulary was ableist, i’ve been more keen to notice the same ableist language other ppl’s speech. so here’s a thread of ableist words n some alternatives bc once u know n are offered a solution, ignoring it is a deliberate choice
disclaimer, this is not an exhaustive list. n even tho our intentions in using these words are “harmless”, it’s worthwhile to reflect on the oppressive roots of the language u use and to consider being more conscious of how common word/phrasing are perpetuating ableist ideas
source (check out this page if you’d like more detail): https://www.autistichoya.com/p/ableist-words-and-terms-to-avoid.html?m=1
as the author lydia says, this isn’t to condemn anyone but to bring awareness for linguistic microagressions and casual ableism. with this knowledge we can make more informed and intentional choices!
as the author lydia says, this isn’t to condemn anyone but to bring awareness for linguistic microagressions and casual ableism. with this knowledge we can make more informed and intentional choices!
alternatives for tone-deaf/deafly:
- insensitive
- read the room
- tactless
- careless
- oblivious
- obtuse
- (willfully) ignorant
- insensitive
- read the room
- tactless
- careless
- oblivious
- obtuse
- (willfully) ignorant
alternatives for blind/blindly/turned a blind eye:
- turning their back on
- deliberately ignoring
- neglect
- overlook
- indiscriminately
- thoughtlessly
- unquestionably
- turning their back on
- deliberately ignoring
- neglect
- overlook
- indiscriminately
- thoughtlessly
- unquestionably
alternatives for idiot/dumb:
- ignorant
- dipshit
- bot (my bf and i use this one lol)
- dense
- uninformed
- ignorant
- dipshit
- bot (my bf and i use this one lol)
- dense
- uninformed
alternatives for crazy/insane:
- ridiculous
- absurd
- wild
- thrilling
- exciting
- unreal
- unbelievable
- surreal
- silly
- ridiculous
- absurd
- wild
- thrilling
- exciting
- unreal
- unbelievable
- surreal
- silly
alternatives for lame:
- boring
- uninteresting
- monotonous
- weak
- sad
- boring
- uninteresting
- monotonous
- weak
- sad
alternatives for psycho/psychopath:
- scary
- out of control
- selfish
- self-centered
- toxic
- manipulative
- scary
- out of control
- selfish
- self-centered
- toxic
- manipulative
alternatives for spaz:
- clutzy
- clumsy
- forgetful
- impulsive
- reckless
- clutzy
- clumsy
- forgetful
- impulsive
- reckless
alternatives to crippled/crippling/paralyzed:
- frozen by
- overwhelming
- stuck
- incapacitating
- taken aback
- surprised
- frozen by
- overwhelming
- stuck
- incapacitating
- taken aback
- surprised
these r a fraction of terms that have been used to describe disability or has been historically weaponized to marginalize people who r disabled. now we conflate these terms with ignorance n incompetence. what does that say about how we as a society view disability? thots 2 ponder
alternatives to “did i stutter”:
- i said what i said
- i meant what i said
- period !
- i said what i said
- i meant what i said
- period !
ty to the ppl who taught me how “read the room” can be ableist ! not everyone is able to read social cues/understand indirect communication. this was one of my fave clapbacks but the slight discomfort of changing my vocab is worth it in exchange for not enforcing ableist ideas
i see some discourse surrounding the use of person-first rather vs identity-first language, this is a reminder that this preference varies depending on each individual so your safest and kindest option is to ask which they feel comfortable with !
