Two thirds of Brits say they feel awkward around disabled people. Some people feel so awkward they avoid disabled people all together.
Since disabled people make up about 1 in 5 of the British population, that’s a lot of time feeling pretty uncomfortable. It’s time to put a stop to it.
End the Awkward is our campaign aimed at helping people feel more comfortable about disability. The campaign uses humour to get people thinking differently.
Worried about what to say? Not sure how to act? Don’t worry, we’re here to help with these tips.
For more, watch our End the Awkward videos on YouTube.
Some disabled people may use controversial language when talking about themselves. That’s their choice, but it doesn’t mean they’d be happy for you to use it.
There are some words that many disabled people find hurtful or harsh because they:
Here are some tips on language that most people prefer:
Don't say | You could say |
---|---|
Cripple | Disabled person |
Able-bodied | Non-disabled person |
The deaf | Deaf person |
The blind | Blind person |
Midget | Person with restricted growth |
Retard Slow Simple | Person with a learning disability |
Downs kid | Person with Down syndrome |
Mental patient | Person with a mental health problem |
Wheelchair-bound | A wheelchair user |
End the Awkward is a light-hearted campaign, but it addresses a serious issue. Attitudes towards disabled people are better than 20 years ago, but we still have a long way to go.
This campaign is just one part of our wider research, policy and campaign work. We speak out against negative attitudes and campaign on all kinds of issues disabled people face.
With this campaign, we have tried to find a way to get people talking about disability and to break down some of the barriers that exist between disabled people and the general public.