Disability or impairment and the social model

[sarawilcox]

When writing about accessibility, we often see the word "impairment" used:

• a motor impairment
• a hearing impairment
• a visual impairment

NHS Digital's Ability Network recommends that we don't use the word "impairment". https://digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-digital/corporate-information-and-documents/nhs-digital-style-guidelines/how-we-talk/writing-about-disability-words-to-use-and-avoid

RNIB uses "sight loss" and "blind and partially sighted people". The RNID is the national "hearing loss" charity. Scope talks about "disabled people".

See also these issues:

• Accessibility
• Deafness, loss of hearing, tinnitus and the social model of disability

In NHS service standard 5, we focused on the barriers people face, rather than the "impairments" they might have. This was approved by some members of the Accessibility Working Group (not meeting at the moment).

[XelaAl]

I have moderate hearing loss and have been wearing a hearing aid since I was 8 years old. The thing that bothers me most is how people treat me when I have to ask them to repeat what they said. They start stressing every syllable and sometimes talk to me as if I'm not smart enough to understand instead of being half deaf. That's why I addressed the staten island audiology clinic and chose an invisible hearing aid. Now I feel much confident. Having read this discussion, I've become proud and glad that other people do their best to help people with deafness or hearing loss.

[EllenDoyle-zz]

I have moderate hearing loss and have been wearing a hearing aid since I was 8 years old. The thing that bothers me most is how people treat me when I have to ask them to repeat what they said. They start stressing every syllable and sometimes talk to me as if I'm not smart enough to understand instead of being half deaf. That's why I addressed the staten island audiology clinic and chose an invisible hearing aid. Now I feel much confident. Having read this discussion, I've become proud and glad that other people do their best to help people with deafness or hearing loss.

@XelaAl I also have hearing loss and wear hearing aids. Like you, it frustrates me when people are asked to repeat what they said, and they do that in a disrespectful way. Wearing masks also causes issues, and I have asked people to wear transparent masks, and the NHS in UK are currently facilitating that in many areas. It is a good idea to speak with like-minded people and those from the Deaf / deaf community. You should always feel able to ask for others to repeat where you have not heard fully, and expect a respectful response.

[XelaAl]

@EllenDoyle Thanks for your reply. I agree that it is great to know that I'm not alone who face such issues and of course, it is great to talk to like-minded people. As for asking people to repeat what they said, I guess, I just need to get used to it.

[sarawilcox]

Sight loss

From the RNIB's style guide:

People use all kinds of words to describe sight loss and blind or partially sighted people. As an organisation, we talk about the wide range of sight conditions that affect people, from severe blindness to partial sight loss. We know there isn’t one term that works for all. As an organisation we have chosen to commonly use sight loss as our primary term.

That said, we’re aware that not everyone we support will recognise, identify or like ”sight loss” as a term. It’s all about personal preference.

It’s important that we’re all aware of any negative associations of words and phrases we use.

We never associate a person with a visual impairment.

It is acceptable to use the term “vision impairment” in educational, health and social care literature. For example we would say, “a child with vision impairment” is the correct term we use. We would never say ”a visually impaired child”.

Talking about sight loss

Terms we use:

• Sight loss
• Sight or eye condition
• Blind and partially sighted people
• People affected by sight loss
• Blind / blindness
• Low vision
• People living with little or no sight

Terms we avoid:

• Sight problems / issues / challenges
• Phrases like “Sarah goes rock climbing, despite being blind”

[SusieWd]

The Hypermobility Syndromes Association (HSA) gave a presentation at a session on inclusive language in health, organised by the Patient Information Forum.

The HSA shared that it uses people-first wording if targeting newly-diagnosed people. For wider publications, it uses disability-first language as well.

This is because the HSA has noticed language differences within the hypermobile community:

• people who are newly diagnosed often prefer people-first terminology, for example ‘a person with hypermobility’ • experienced patients often prefer disability-first terminology, for example ‘a hypermobile person’

Useful suggestions shared by the HSA speaker, to help when planning content, were: • read blogs, tweets and other social media by people in the groups you want to reach • read conflicting views • beware of the echo chamber reflecting your existing usage! • consider the difference in language used by different groups