A note on the language we use about disability

The language, phrases and words we use to speak about people with disability are important. How we speak about disability impacts the people it relates to and the attitudes of the general public.

On this website we will use both person-first and identity-first language when referring to people and groups with disability.

Person-first language, such as ‘people with disability’ puts the person before their disability or diagnosis. This emphasises the person as more than their disability.

Identity-first language, such as ‘disabled people’ or ‘Autistic’, puts the person’s disability first. This is embraced by many disabled people as their disability is a key part of their identity.

RAY is committed to using the language that reflects the preference of people with lived experience. This includes people in the RAY program team, the organisations we work with, and people who take part in our research.

We are also guided by preferences stated by specific groups, such as Autistic and Deaf communities. We also acknowledge that many people in the Deaf community do not identify as people with disability but as a culturally and linguistically distinct group.

Further reading on disability language:

• People With Disability Australia (PWDA) – Language Guide

• Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) - Disability Terminology: A short guide for employers

• Victorian Government - Person-first and identity-first language