Episode One - Disability and Language

Introduction

In this episode of the Diverse Matters podcast, host Mikayla Sinead engages in a candid conversation with guests Sarah Teichler and Lex Karageorghis about the significant role that inclusive language plays in creating psychological safety for disabled individuals in the workplace. The episode is both enlightening and inspiring, providing actionable insights for promoting inclusivity and eradicating exclusionary terms. Here's a concise summary of the key points discussed: 

Inclusive Language and its Impact: The episode begins by introducing the topic of inclusive language and its profound impact on creating a sense of belonging and psychological safety. The conversation is driven by the shared experiences and expertise of Sarah Teichler and Lex Karageorghis, making it highly informative and thought-provoking. 

Phrases that Need to Go: The core of the discussion revolves around identifying and phasing out exclusionary phrases and terms from our everyday language. The guests emphasise the need to abandon phrases that undermine the dignity of disabled individuals and perpetuate stereotypes. 

Problematic Phrases and Why They Need to Be Eliminated: 

• "Fully Accessible": The term is criticised for its overuse, especially when describing spaces that cater primarily to wheelchair users. The discussion highlights the diverse access requirements of disabled individuals and the need for specificity. 
• "Special Needs": The episode delves into the controversy surrounding the term "special needs," emphasising that it shouldn't be applied to all disabled people. Everyone has unique needs, and such labels only perpetuate stigmas. 
• "Able-Bodied" vs. "Non-Disabled": The guests advocate for replacing "able-bodied" with "non-disabled" to eliminate the implication that disabled people lack able bodies. 
• Derogatory Phrases: The conversation urges the removal of terms like "wheelchair-bound" and "confined to a wheelchair," highlighting that wheelchairs empower rather than restrict individuals. 
• "Differently Abled": This euphemistic term is critiqued for avoiding the core issue of barriers and access requirements faced by disabled individuals. 
• Dehumanising Language: The guests stress the importance of avoiding phrases like "the blind," "the deaf," and "the disabled" when referring to people as a group. Individuality should be preserved. 

The Role of Inclusive Language in Psychological Safety: Lex Karageorghis eloquently explains how the language we use profoundly affects psychological safety in the workplace. He shares personal experiences of being dismissed as a disabled individual and emphasises the value of calling out or privately addressing exclusionary language to create a culture of psychological safety. 

Practical Steps for Inclusion: In addition to addressing language, the discussion highlights the importance of auditing policies, practices, physical environments, and websites for inclusivity. This process helps organisations identify and rectify exclusionary elements and demonstrates a commitment to inclusion. 

Resources for Accessibility: Lex recommends the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as a valuable resource to enhance website acces

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