City of N.Van. Words are important and powerful tools in shaping ideas, perceptions, and attitudes.
Words are the mirrors of society's perceptions and attitudes.
Some of the most difficult barriers people with disabilities face are people's attitudes. Language use has changed over the years. Disparaging and dated words have been replaced with precise terms which have specific meanings, are not interchangeable, and respect people with disabilities. People often don't know how to refer to people with disabilities. They may be embarrassed or afraid they might say the wrong thing, or they simply may not know the proper words.