At Tilting the Lens, our approach to language is deliberate and rooted in community advocacy. We understand the profound impact words have, and our choices reflect our commitment to affirming identity and fostering Disability Pride.

A cornerstone of our language policy is the capitalisation of the ‘D’ in Disabled when referring to the community and disability as an identity. This is not a stylistic choice, but a recognition of Disabled as a proper noun, signifying a collective identity. When we speak of “Disabled people” or the “Disabled community,” we are honouring the lived experience and self-identification of individuals who embrace disability as a core part of who they are.

This extends to our consistent use of identity-first language. You’ll find us writing “Disabled person” rather than “person with a disability.” This choice is directly influenced by the Disabled community’s preference, as it sees disability as an integral part of one’s personhood, shaping experiences, skills, and outlook. It reinforces the concept of Disability Pride, moving away from language that might suggest disability is something to be “suffered from” or “managed.”

While we generally opt for a lowercase ‘d’ for “disability” itself (as it’s not an identity), we make exceptions for specific models or movements, such as the Medical Model of Disability or Disability Justice, where capitalisation signifies a defined concept.

We acknowledge that some individuals prefer person-first language, and we always respect these explicit choices. However, our default remains identity-first, led by the voices and preferences of the Disabled community.

Our language guidelines, including the capitalisation of other identities like “Neurodivergent,” “Blind,” and “Deaf,” are designed to foster an inclusive and respectful environment. By embracing these linguistic distinctions, Tilting the Lens aims to contribute to a more nuanced and affirming understanding of disability and identity.

Glossary

Disability Justice Model: this is a movement which focuses on examining disability and ableism as they relate to other forms of oppression and identity, centring rights and access. Sins Invalid18 lays out ten principles of Disability Justice including intersectionality, interdependence, and sustainability.

The Medical Model of Disability: this approach sees a disability as something ‘wrong’ or ‘impairing’ to be ‘fixed’ through medical treatment or intervention. This has led to segregated services and the ultimate exclusion of many Disabled people from society, rather than the addressing of societal, physical, or policy barriers.

 

 

 

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