Words Matter: Change our World by Changing Your Words

Published by CBM in Kenya, this leaflet provides information about how to communicate with and about persons with disabilities through use of positive and inclusive language. According to the leaflet, use of negative language leads to exclusion of persons with disabilities and reinforces negative stereotypes, while the use of positive language promotes inclusion by valuing diversity of the human family. The leaflet encourages people to focus on the person not the disability and use neutral language when communicating with and about people with disabilities. The booklet also includes suggestions for appropriate etiquette when interacting with physical, hearing, visual, and learning impairments, as well as key phrases to avoid and their more positive alternatives.

CBM is an international Christian development organisation, committed to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in low income regions of the world. CBM strives to remove the barriers that marginalise people with disabilities in the most disadvantaged societies in the world. It does this by working with partner organisations in these regions, by influencing policy at all levels, and by responding to emergencies and natural disasters.