Language has the power to shape how we see each other. The words we use to talk about disability influence how people feel, how they are treated, and how fully they are included in our communities.
At Disability Belongs™, we believe that respectful, accurate, and inclusive language is a cornerstone of true belonging. That includes using terms like “disabled people” or “people with disabilities” rather than outdated or euphemistic phrases like “special needs” or “the disabled.” It also means avoiding language like “suffers from” or “afflicted with,” which frame disability as a tragedy or a source of pain. Instead, we can simply say that someone has a disability—or even better, use the specific language they choose to describe themselves.
Language is deeply personal. Some disabled people prefer identity-first language (such as “Autistic person” or “disabled person”) while others prefer person-first language (such as “person with autism” or “person with a disability”). Instead of assuming, we can show respect by asking people how they identify and using the terms that reflect their preferences.
When faith communities focus on fixing disability, it can send the message that disabled people are broken or incomplete. When someone says, “I’ll pray for your healing,” it’s often meant with kindness and care. But many disabled people are not seeking a cure. They are seeking access, understanding, and respect. They want to be heard, included, and welcomed as they are, not changed to fit someone else’s idea of wholeness.
What would it look like to shift our conversations? Instead of centering pity or limitation when we talk about disability, we can use language that affirms dignity, pride, and identity. We can pray for successful fundraising campaigns to improve accessibility, for ASL interpreters to be available at every service, for disabled leaders to rise and thrive, and for systems and attitudes to evolve so that everyone can experience a sense of belonging.
Disability does not diminish a person’s value or faith. It is not a burden or a barrier, but part of the richness of human diversity. When we speak with compassion and intention, we create spaces where every person is seen, respected, and included.
Disability belongs in our language, in our communities, and in the future we are building together.
