Unless the relationship being referred to is between a doctor and client. Having a disability is not synony- mous with suffering. This booklet is available in alternate media format. Ce guide est egalement disponible en francais. N Language is a powerful and important tool in shaping ideas, perceptions, and ultimately, public attitudes.
Words are a mirror of society's attitudes and perceptions.
Attitudes can be the most diffi- cult barrier persons with disabilities must face in gaining full integration, acceptance and participation in society. No News is Bad News that vocabulary con create perception. Demeaning, belittling or negative words are a barrier to greater understanding and can trivialize genuine support given by a commu- nity to persons with disabilities. Dated and disparaging words are being replaced with precise, descriptive terms which have specific meanings that are not interchangeable. 1 Persons with disabilities are asking, just as women and minority groups are asking, that the media use respectful terms in writing about them or issues that affect their lives.