Inclusive Language and Communication

 Instructions

• Your leader for this activity will be the person whose family name contains the most letters.
• Your leader will select a speaker for the team, who will share your answers to your given area of consideration and any reasoning for your decisions.
• Discuss the appropriateness of the language given and suggest more inclusive alternatives. 
• Make sure that all voices are heard - consciously include all members of the team!

Reflect upon these Principles of Inclusive Language before you begin the task...

1. Use person centered language 
2. Take an individualised approach
3. Respect people’s privacy
4. Be guided by the terms people use to describe themselves
5. Avoid irrelevant references to a characteristic
6. Avoid stereotyping by making positive or negative generalisations about groups of people
7. If you make a mistake, apologise, correct 
8. Don’t use language which implies that people with a disability are helpless or to be cared for rather than as equal and contributing members of society
9. In most circumstances there is no need to mention or refer to someone’s ability or disability at all
10. If it is required, ensure you take a person-centred approach instead of focusing on the disability