Words Hurt
As we emerge from lockdown, new research shows that language is an active and passive barrier in the connection between disabled and non-disabled people.
We need to talk about the language of disability
We have collaborated with our Global Youth Ambassador, disabled rapper Kray-Z Legz, to launch a new rap and video titled ‘The Language of Disability’.
In writing the rap, Kray-Z Legz, who was born with spina bifida, has drawn on some of his own experiences as a disabled person living in the UK and is calling on listeners to actively educate themselves on disability and engage with disabled people.
The facts about language and disability
The research which featured disabled and non-disabled respondents highlighted the following:
Amongst disabled respondents:
- Almost 3 in 4 (73%) disabled people say that more needs to be done for non-disabled people to understand that their words cause offence.
- Over 1 in 5 (21%) disabled Brits say they have experienced outdated terms to describe them from non-disabled strangers in a public place.
Amongst non-disabled respondents:
- 2 in 5 (40%) non-disabled people stated that they would be more likely to interact with disabled people if they knew the correct language to use.
- Almost a third (30%) of non-disabled people are worried about saying the wrong thing when talking to disabled people.
