Some people have hidden disabilities such as diabetes, or mental health difficulties. Language It is important to gain a general understanding of words and phrases which may give offence to people with disabilities. There are no hard and fast rules. Sports managers should try to keep in touch with disabled people and respect their preferences which may change over time. Instead say person with a disability or disabled person .
Medical labels are undesirable and often misleading, as no two people are alike.
Medical labels say little about people as individuals, and tend to reinforce stereotypes of disabled people as patients , powerless and wholly dependent on the medical profession. It is dehumanising to refer to a person in terms of a condition. Therefore do not talk about a spastic or an epileptic . Words to be avoided Do not use any words or phrases which invite pity, or reinforce impressions of frailty or dependence. This equates disability with illness, and can be construed as not valid .