White cutout of a speech bubble on a blue background

Language Matters: Tips for Inclusive Communication

Language is an incredibly important part of accessibility. Not only does it ensure we communicate information in ways everyone can understand, but it frames how we think about important issues, and makes our spaces safer or less safe. Below, we’ve rounded up resources that share some of the evolving perspectives on inclusive language, alongside tips and tricks for making communication more accessible overall.

Content warning: Some of these resources mention outdated or offensive terms for illustrative purposes.

Closeup of a hand writing with a pen in a notebook
Closeup of a hand writing with a pen in a notebook.

Ableism/Language: Glossary of Ableist Phrases

The Ableism/Language glossary features potentially ableist terms, ranging from slurs, to expressions that can perpetuate bias against disabled people. It also includes suggested alternatives.

Resource by: Lydia X. Z. Brown

Collage of diverse people, from children to elders, going about their everyday lives
Collage of diverse people, from children to elders, going about their everyday lives.

APA’s Inclusive Language Guide

APA’s Inclusive Language Guide (second edition) supports the use of culturally-sensitive terms and phrases, as well as explaining the origins of outdated terms and offering more suitable alternatives.

Resource by: American Psychological Association

A white person in a wheelchair sits in front of an AAC device
A white wheelchair user in a pink kangaroo jacket sits in front of an AAC device.

Communication Aids

Communication Aids is a basic guide to Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC), and some of the AAC devices used by people who face difficulty communicating with spoken language.

Resource by: Sense

Logo for the Canadian Association of the Deaf, featuring a red globe with a maple leaf and a stylized blue ear symbol. A blue and red badge reads, Recognize ASL. Reconnaitre LSQ. CAD-ASC.
Logo for the Canadian Association of the Deaf, with a red globe, maple leaf, and blue ear symbol.

Deafness Terminology Position Paper

The Terminology position paper from the Canadian Association of the Deaf covers terms that refer to Deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing community members. It includes a short glossary.

Resource by: Canadian Association of the Deaf

Multi-coloured collage of different pronouns including they, him, xir, he, theirs, ze, hers, xe, she, her, xim and them
Multi-coloured collage of different pronouns.

The Definitive Guide to Pronouns

The Definitive Guide to Pronouns is a helpful FAQ about English-language pronouns: what they are, why they matter, and how to use them correctly for people. (Visit this post instead to find tips on referring to people who don’t use third-person pronouns.)

Resource by: National Center on Disability and Journalism

Logo for the  National Center of Disability Journalism, with an NDCJ over a background of overlapping squares in red, blue, and yellow
NDCJ logo with overlapping red, blue, and yellow squares.

Disability Language Style Guide

The Disability Language Style Guide features a glossary of dozens of common words and terms referring to disabilities and the disability community. The guide is also available in Spanish, Italian and Romanian.

Resource by: National Center on Disability and Journalism

Logo for the British Dyslexia Association with a stylized symbol of blue links
Logo for the British Dyslexia Association with a stylized symbol of blue links.

Dyslexia Friendly Style Guide

The Dyslexia Friendly Style Guide helps make your written materials more accessible to dyslexic people – and easier on the eye for everyone.

Resource by: British Dyslexia Association

Blue and white icon of hands representing sign language interpretation
Blue and white icon of hands representing sign language interpretation.

Etiquette When Using a Sign Language Interpreter

Etiquette When Using A Sign Language Interpreter is a one-page guide for hearing people and organizations, on how to interact respectfully with Deaf people through using a sign language interpreter.

Resource by: California Department of Social Services

Orange and teal tinted image of two Indigenous people in a recording studio, with white text reading, First Voices
Orange and teal image of two Indigenous people in a recording studio, with text reading First Voices.

First Voices

First Voices is an internationally-recognized online platform for Indigenous communities to share and promote their languages, oral cultures, and linguistic histories.

Resource by: First Peoples’ Cultural Council

Logo for the Center for Plain Language, featuring orange and turquoise outlines of speech bubbles, and the slogan Make It Clear
Logo for the Center for Plain Language, with orange and turquoise speech bubbles and the slogan Make It Clear.

Five Steps to Plain Language

Five Steps to Plain Language provides a simple checklist to help people communicate with their audiences using clear wording, structure, and design.

Resource by: Center for Plain Language

Against a black background, a row of rainbow coloured human icons include people of all shapes and sizes, some using mobility aids.
Against a black background, rainbow icons depict people of all shapes and sizes, some with mobility aids.

Guide on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Terminology

The Guide on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Terminology is a bilingual (English and French) guide that defines terms related to equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion, and helps to educate about the concepts involved.

Resource by: Government of Canada

Closeup of a green typewriter with a page containing the word Inclusivity
Closeup of a green typewriter with a page containing the word Inclusivity.

Inclusionary: A Guide to Gender-Inclusive Solutions

Inclusionary: A Guide to Gender-Inclusive Solutions contains a list of English-language gendered words, along with suggested alternatives.

Resource by: Government of Canada

Closeup of blank nametags lying on a wooden table next to markers
Closeup of blank nametags lying on a wooden table next to markers.

Indigenous Peoples Terminology: Guidelines for Usage

Indigenous Peoples Terminology: Guidelines for Usage covers evolving language use when referring to Indigenous Peoples. It features a written guide as well as a video.

Resource by: Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.

closeup  of a rainbow Pride flag waving in the wind
Closeup of a rainbow flag waving in the wind.

PFLAG National Glossary

The PFLAG National Glossary is a searchable glossary of words and phrases referring to the LGBTQ+ community.

Resource by: PFLAG

Orange graphic with white text reads, Queer Terminology from A to Q. 2022 Edition. QMunity. Above the main text is tiny white text featuring glossary defintions.
Orange graphic with white text reads, Queer Terminology from A to Q. 2022 Edition. QMunity.

Queer Glossary: A to Q Terminology

Queer Glossary: A to Q Terminology is a PDF resource booklet that covers terms and concepts related to 2SLGBTQIA+ identities and experiences.

Resource by: QMUNITY

White cutout of a spiky speech bubble on a yellow background
White cutout of a spiky speech bubble on a yellow background.

What is Plain Language?

What Is Plain Language? is a simple how-to guide for drafting plain language text. It also links to plain-language resources from around the world.

Resource by: Plain Language Association International

Last updated February 4, 2024
Know a resource we should add? Drop us a line.

Similar Posts