Persons with disabilities are those who have ‘long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others’.
Disability is the outcome of the interaction between individuals with a health condition
(e.g. cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or depression) and personal and environmental factors (e.g. negative attitudes, inaccessible transportation and public buildings, and limited social supports).
Disability inclusion refers to the ‘meaningful participation of people with disability in all their diversity, the promotion and mainstreaming of their rights into the work of the Organization, the development of disability-specific programmes and the consideration of disability-related perspectives, in compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’
When referring to person with disabilities, choose words that reflect capabilities, dignity and respect. Use language that describes the person’s disability without defining the individual as his or her disability.
