This page lists the resources in the category of Writing Style and Language.
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Things ableists say – or some disability no-nos and how to address them – Yenn Purkis Autism Page
As a disability advocate - and a Disabled person - I come up against some pretty unhelpful comments at times. This is a list of basically big no-nos and why they are really not OK. One which is a total doozy is who someone has a visible disability (such as a wheelchair user) gets told…
Who has the right to talk about the issues facing people with disability? | Hireup
What started as a Twitter debate sparked by an article on Hireup news has opened up a discussion between disability advocates Carly Findlay and Lisa Grech, a duo with conflicting beliefs on who can share experiences of disability.

Advice for meeting someone who is blind - Learning A11y
Don't miss these essential dos and don'ts for respectful and positive interactions whe meeting a blind person.
Eye contact is not an essential means to communicating – Yenn Purkis Autism Page
I am autistic. One attribute of my autism - and of many other people's too - is that I struggle with eye contact. Different people have variations on this theme. For me it means I find if I look into someone’s eyes I can see into their soul. It is exceedingly unpleasant to say the…
Guide to Investigating Disability Issues: Introduction - GIJN
The introduction to GIJN's reporting guide to investigating disability issues, which also provides a table of contents for the guide.
Important Disability Terminology, Acronyms, and Definitions | NEA
For many, the terms used in, and about special education are unfamiliar. Learning these unfamiliar terms, and the commonly used acronyms that represent them, can help in navigating the special education and 504 processes. This list is intended to help familiarize you with common terms, definitions, and acronyms that are frequently used in the disability space. Education definitions may differ from state to state. The acronyms and terminology below is reflective of definitions most commonly in education at the national level.
What it's like making an invisible illness visible to others | Sickle Cell Disease News
Columnist Dunstan Nicol-Wilson has had to explain the invisible illness of sickle cell numerous times, and each time it leaves a mark.
The Pros And Cons Of Identifying As Disabled
How you cope with a disability is one thing. How you decide to present or reveal your disability to others is something else. It’s important for disabled and non-disabled people alike to understand both whether and how different people with disabilities choose to identify as disabled – and why.
A story from my life about why disability representation matters | Sickle Cell Disease News
A positive development in the workplace leads to greater understanding and accommodation for columnist Mary Shaniqua.
Is autism a disability? – Yenn Purkis Autism Page
This is a question with a few different answers - depending on your politics! I was diagnosed as autistic in 1994. Back then it was called Asperger Syndrome. The clinician - a clinical psychiatrist - said that I fulfilled ‘all the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome’. I was officially autistic. I didn’t…

What Not To Say If Someone Discloses Their Autism Diagnosis
Research shows autistic people often don’t tell others, even though that can mean they’ll fail to get the support they need and be put at increased risk of mental health concerns.

AUTISTIC NICK’S COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES – Autistic Nick
AUTISITIC NICK’S COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES It’s the 17th of January 2023 and already I’m harking back to an old out of date tune, I’ve banged my drums, I run up that hill, I’ve rid myself of words being highlighted in yellow (you’re still a monster), I’ve had meetings, I’ve written blog posts, I’ve had conversations and…
How to: find the right language to talk about disability | The Social Enterprise Magazine - Pioneers Post
Talking about disability can be a very personal thing. But avoiding the topic entirely can leave disabled customers or employees feeling excluded and unable to access what they need. How can your organisation get it right?
What are 'masking' and 'camouflaging' in the context of autism and ADHD?
Masking or camouflaging is where people conceal certain traits and replace them with neurotypical ones to avoid being recognised as visibly neurodiverse.

Reader friendly communication: A guide to using plain language - ADCET
The Australian Council for Adult Literacy (ACAL) Plain English guide supports anyone who wants to communicate effectively with readers. This means developing a reader-friendly approach which helps writers to design and present information clearly to as many people as possible. This includes people with literacy and numeracy challenges, people with a Specific Learning Disability, and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
What exactly is 'neurodiversity?' Using accurate language about disability matters in schools | National Post
THE CONVERSATION

UX Principles that include Cognitive Accessibility
A Cognitive perspective on UX Design Principles including a neurodivergent perspective with links to relevant guidance and resources.
Understanding Disability: Ableism - TPGi
Ableism is discrimination in favor of non-disabled people. Read this article for an overview of ableism in language and behavior.
'Autistic' Or 'Person With Autism'? It Depends - Disability Scoop
New research dives into the heated debate surrounding the language of autism and finds that preferences about how to describe those on the spectrum vary substantially depending on who you ask.