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  1. Disability Inclusion Guide

Quick guide to inclusive language

It’s important to use inclusive language because language is influential.
Two adults playing with toddlers at an early learning service

The best approach to inclusive language is to always ask the child, young person or family their preferred language.

The Quick guide to inclusive language tip sheet contains some other common guidelines for using inclusive language.

For a full list and language to avoid, and the difference between ‘person-first’ and ‘identity-first’ approaches, see What do I say? A guide to language about disability written by People With Disability Australia (PWDA).

Download, print or distribute this tip sheet to share knowledge.

  • References

    • AllPlay Learn, Language Guide (online document).
    • People With Disability Australia. (2019). What do I say? A guide to language about disability.

See the rest of this guide

  • Welcome to this guide 
  • What is inclusion?
  • Leading an inclusive learning community
  • The role of educators in inclusion
  • Universal Design for Learning
  • Supporting transitions
  • Inclusion myth buster

Resources

  • Quick guide to inclusive language (PDF, 261 KB)

Last updated: October, 2021

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