National Spinal Cord Injury Association Resource Center
Factsheet #8:
Spinal Cord
Injury Awareness - Understanding the Importance of
Language and Images
Introduction
Every day more than 30 people become paralyzed from
spinal cord injury (SCI) or disease. SCI generally
results in one of two types of paralysis:
Paraplegia - paralysis affecting the legs and lower
part of the body
Quadriplegia - paralysis affecting the level below the
neck and chest area; involving both the arms and legs
The majority of people with SCI use wheelchairs for
mobility. Thus, they encounter many obstacles and
barriers in everyday life. Among the most difficult
barriers are those involving the public's misperceptions
and attitudes.
The Power of Language
Language is a very powerful tool. It can be used not
only to communicate ideas, but also to change and shape
attitudes. People with all types of disabilities are
striving for equality, community accessibility, and
acceptance. Yet, they are constantly confronted by
language which perpetuates negative stereotypes of who
they are and what they are capable of doing.
Using positive language that values and affirms people
with disabilities is a first step in helping to change
societal attitudes. When a term such as
"victim" or "invalid" is used to
describe a person who uses a wheelchair, the listener or
reader immediately views the person as an object, not as
a human being. The image that comes to mind is a negative
one, focused not on the person, but on the disability.
These terms do not allow or encourage the reader or
listener to see any of the unique aspects of the
individual.
When a person sustains a spinal cord injury and is
paralyzed, he/she loses the ability to fully use his/her
legs and/or arms. He/she does not lose the ability to
think, feel, learn, love, work, or to live life to its
fullest. There is life after spinal cord injury! NSCIA is
dedicated to helping people adapt to their injury and to
live a full and independent life.
It is important to know the appropriate and acceptable
terminology to use when writing or speaking about people
with SCI. Using proper language is more than just being
"politically correct." It helps portray people
who use wheelchairs more accurately, raises public
awareness about SCI, and helps break down attitudinal
barriers and negative stereotypes.
Other topics in this fact sheet
include:
- Media Professionals
- Portrayal Issues
- Guidelines for Writing About
People With Spinal Cord Injury
- What Is Acceptable Terminology?
- Terminology that is never
acceptable when referring to people with
disabilities
- Disability Awareness: What Do You
Say To Someone Who Uses A Wheelchair?
- Glossary of Terms
- Terminology and Word Usage
For a complete text of this factsheet, Join
NSCIA.
NSCIA 8/95
This fact sheet was written with input
from Michael Muehe, a local disability advocate and SCI
survivor. This fact sheet is offered as an information
service from the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.
It represents only NSCIA's viewpoint on the subject of
language and terminology as it relates to spinal cord
injury. While these views may be shared by the entire
disability community, this fact sheet is not intended to
be comprehensive and encompass all types of disability.
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