A small list of my (not so) favorite euphemisms for disabled people/people with disabilities:

- special needs
- differently-abled
- people with diverse abilities
- handicapable
- challenged

"Disabled" is a perfectly acceptable word. #SayTheWord #CrippingSocialWork

"Disabled" is not a pejorative word. It's a descriptive word. Other more elaborate terms are infantilizing, unclear, and not practically useful. #SayTheWord #CrippingSocialWork

Oh, no.

It has come to my attention that some people say "diffabled" instead of "disabled."

I like to use the following test:

Is it respectful?
Is it practically useful?
Is its meaning absolutely clear to everyone?

If it doesn't fit all three, don't use it. #SayTheWord

Another phrase I'm not a fan of is "individuals with disabilities." You don't see people with cancer being called "individuals with cancer" very often, but if it's the word "disability," suddenly folks pull out the word "individuals."

This also reminds me of my undergraduate internship, where the staff referred to day program attendees as "the adults."

No other group of people gets constantly referred to in that way. It's odd and condescending. Please just stop.

Also: PLEASE do not police the language disabled people use to refer to their disabilities or disability communities. This is a good lesson for you nondisabled social workers out there. Allyship is more than the language you use. It's LISTENING to disabled people. #SayTheWord

I'm going to keep adding to this thread every time I find or remember a new euphemism:

"disABILITY"

No.

Don't say "people of all abilities" when you mean "people with disabilities."

It's unclear. Please use accurate terminology.

Pointed out by @autistichoya: "pre-existing health conditions."

"Pre-existing health conditions" are disabilities.