Why the words we use matter

This campaign was kickstarted by a piece of research, led by a coalition of Disabled-led organisations, on how we talk about disability. How the words we use to talk about the reality of our lives make a difference to whether our story is really heard. 

The research is grounded in scientific evidence about how we can communicate – ‘frame’ our stories – in a way that will encourage people to think, feel and, crucially, act differently about disability. 

The power of framing 

We can see the extraordinary power of framing in the world around us. How the intentional use of just a few words taps into what people really care about and their deeper beliefs about how the world is and should be.  

Take the phrase, ‘Benefits Street Budget’, for example. These three words trigger the well-worn, harmful frame of work-shy people scrounging off ‘hard-working’ people.   

The Government’s recent announcement of a review into the rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services has led to the word ‘overdiagnosis’ being used as shorthand for an equally damaging story.  

The ‘overdiagnosis’ story says that people have no resilience these days. That they’re mistaking life’s normal ups and downs for mental illness. And that diagnosis is a ticket to special treatment and a drain on the state.   

Both these stories are rooted in the medical model of disability. And both these stories take attention away from the real issue: the lack of political will to create a fully accessible and equal society. 

A new story about disability 

We have a mountain to climb to shape a different story about disability. One that helps create a society that respects and values Disabled people.  

Scaling this mountain starts with a collective commitment to use the right words in the right way. This practical Talking about disability guide is a free resource to help us do that.