There are a number of myths and misconceptions about disability…
List of Disabilities
- Addison’s Disease
- ADHD
- AIDS/HIV
- Allergies (food, materials, environment)
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Amputation
- ALS
- Anosmia
- Anxiety
- Arachnoiditis
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Ataxia
- Autism Spectrum
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Back Pain / Injury
- Bladder Conditions
- Blood Disorders
- Brain Injuries
- Burn Injuries
- Cancer
- Cataracts
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chemical Sensitivity
- Chronic Fatigue
- Chronic Illness
- Chronic Pain
- Celiac Disease
- Communications Disorders
- Color Blindness
- Connective Tissue Disorders
- Crohn’s Disease
- Deaf
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Dietary Needs
- Disordered Eating
- Dysgraphia
- Dyslexia
- Emphysema
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Graves’ Disease
- Headaches
- Hearing Loss
- Heart Disease
- Hemophilia
- Hepatitis
- Hormone Changes
- Huntington’s Disease
- Hypertension
- Hypoglycemia
- IBS
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Kidney Disease
- Lactose Intolerance
- Limb Difference
- Liver Disease
- Lung Disease
- Lupus
- Lyme Disease
- Marian Syndrome
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Migraines
- Mood Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- OCD
- Panic Disorder
- Paraplegia
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Personality Disorders
- Phobias
- Photosensitivity
- PTSD
- Pregnancy
- Primary Immunodeficiency
- Psychiatric Disabilities
- Quadriplegia
- Raynaud’s Phenomenon
- Renal Disease
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Respiratory Disorders
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Schizophrenia
- Seizures
- Shingles
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Skin Disorders
- Sleep Disorders
- Somatosensory Deficit
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stress
- Stroke
- Stutter
- Substance Use
- Thyroid Disorders
- Tourette Syndrome
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Variations in Body Size (height, weight)
- Vertigo
- Vision Impairments
There are corresponding accommodations available for every item listed above. Please visit askjan.org to learn more.
Disability Conversation Guide
1. Use Person-First or Identity-First Language
Person-First Language: Puts the individual before the disability (“a person with a disability” instead of “a disabled person”).
Identity-First Language: Some people prefer their disability as part of their identity (“autistic person” instead of “person with autism”). Tip: When in doubt, ask the person what they prefer.
2. Avoid Negative or Patronizing Language
Avoid phrases like “suffers from,” “afflicted with,” or “confined to a wheelchair.” These frame disability as negative. Instead, say “uses a wheelchair” or “has [condition].” Avoid calling people “brave” or “inspirational” just for living their lives.
3. Be Mindful of Ableist Language
Some common phrases are unintentionally ableist, like “crazy,” “lame,” or “tone-deaf.” Try using more neutral terms like “wild,” “uncool,” or “insensitive.” When talking about places with accommodations for people with disabilities, use the term “accessible” rather than “disabled” or “handicapped.” Examples: accessible parking space, accessible bathroom stall
5. Don’t Make Assumptions
Not all disabilities are visible. Some people have chronic illnesses, neurodivergence, or other conditions that aren’t apparent. Avoid assuming what someone can or cannot do based on their disability.
4. Respect Accessibility Needs
If you’re in a conversation with a person with a disability, be aware of their accessibility preferences (e.g., giving time to respond, ensuring physical spaces are accessible, or providing alternative communication methods if needed).
6. Let People Speak for Themselves
If discussing disability in a broader sense, amplify the voices of disabled individuals and organizations rather than speaking for them.
7. Be Open to Learning
Language and perspectives on disability evolve. Stay open to feedback; be willing to adjust your approach when someone expresses a different preference.