How can you write news stories that accurately represent people with disabilities?

1 Use person-first language

Person-first language is a way of writing that puts the person before their disability, emphasizing their humanity and individuality. For example, instead of saying "a disabled person" or "a wheelchair user", you can say "a person with a disability" or "a person who uses a wheelchair". This way, you avoid defining people by their disability or implying that they are inferior or limited by it. However, some people may prefer identity-first language, which is a way of writing that embraces disability as part of their identity. For example, some people may identify as "autistic" or "Deaf" rather than "a person with autism" or "a person who is deaf". The best practice is to respect the preferences of the people you are writing about and ask them how they want to be referred to.

2 Avoid negative or sensationalist terms

Some words or phrases that are commonly used in news stories can have negative or offensive connotations for people with disabilities, or create a sensationalist or pitying tone. For example, avoid using terms like "suffering from", "afflicted with", "confined to", "victim of", "handicapped", "crippled", or "special needs". These terms can imply that people with disabilities are passive, helpless, or abnormal, and that their disability is a tragedy or a burden. Instead, use neutral or positive terms that respect the dignity and agency of people with disabilities, such as "living with", "has", "uses", "accessible", "inclusive", or "supports".

3 Include diverse perspectives and voices

People with disabilities are not a homogeneous group, but a diverse and dynamic community with different experiences, opinions, and needs. Therefore, when writing news stories that involve or affect people with disabilities, it is important to include their perspectives and voices, and not rely on stereotypes or assumptions. For example, you can interview people with disabilities who are directly involved in the story, or consult experts or advocates who have relevant knowledge or experience. You can also use quotes, anecdotes, or examples that illustrate the diversity and complexity of people with disabilities, and avoid generalizing or simplifying their situations or views.

4 Provide context and background

Sometimes, news stories that mention people with disabilities may not provide enough context or background information to help the readers understand the issues or challenges they face, or the solutions or opportunities they seek. This can lead to misinformation, confusion, or misunderstanding among the public, and affect the perception and representation of people with disabilities. Therefore, when writing news stories that involve or affect people with disabilities, it is important to provide context and background information that explains the relevant facts, concepts, or policies, and how they relate to the rights and interests of people with disabilities. For example, you can provide definitions, statistics, or examples that clarify the meaning and implications of terms like "disability", "accessibility", or "inclusion".

5 Use accessible and inclusive formats

The way you present your news stories can also affect how people with disabilities access and engage with them. Therefore, when writing news stories, it is important to use accessible and inclusive formats that make your content easy to read, understand, and share for people with different abilities and preferences. For example, you can use clear and simple language, avoid jargon or acronyms, use headings and subheadings , break up long paragraphs, and provide summaries or captions. You can also use alternative formats, such as audio, video, or images, and provide transcripts, captions, or descriptions for them. You can also use web design and layout features that make your content compatible with assistive technologies, such as screen readers or magnifiers.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?