Impel’s use of disability terminology

Impel recognises that the way we talk about people with disabilities and the language we use around disability is important, because it reflects the way disability is approached. Our website uses ‘people/persons with disabilities’; the preferred terminology in North America and much of the developing world as well as the term used in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The term ‘people/persons with disabilities’ is based around the concept of putting ‘people first’, thereby affirming the person before their impairment.

In projects we deliver and outside of this website, the language we use around disability is dependent on the local context. We use language preferred by the disability movement in different contexts. We recognise that in the UK, for example, the preferred term is ‘disabled people’ on the understanding that people do not have disabilities but that disability is the result of barriers. In India and other parts of Asia, we recognise the preference is for the use of ‘Differently Abled’ in recognition that everyone has abilities but that some peoples’ abilities are different to the majority. Any of these terms can be acceptable depending on the local context.

In terms of impairment specific terminology, Impel recognises there are local variations developed by the disability movement itself. In all cases, we ensure the language we adopt is inclusive and respects the integrity and dignity of people with disabilities.