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’re highlighting some publicly-available 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Content warning: Some of these resources mention outdated or offensive terms for illustrative purposes.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

VISIT THE GLOSSARY
Black friends sit in comfortable chairs and supportive recliners during an evening conversation. In the middle, a friend with narcolepsy falls asleep smiling while clouds drift behind her head. Her girlfriend sits to the left, holding her hand
Illustration of two Black people seated in recliners holding hands. Credit: Disabled and Here

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(second edition) supports the use of culturally-sensitive terms and phrases, as well as explaining the origins of outdated terms and offering more suitable alternatives.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

VISIT THE GUIDE
Closeup of a person using a tablet in a turquoise case
Closeup of a person tapping on a tablet in a turquoise stand case.

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

VISIT THE GUIDE
A Deaf Black man smiles and signs in American Sign Language while holding a “Deaf joy” print. The man is wearing glasses and denim overalls and has a black and white beard, septum piercing, and hair pulled back by a bandana. The background features a vibrant mural with a Black woman’s face in close-up.
A Deaf Black man smiles and signs in ASL while holding a “Deaf joy” print. Credit: Disabled and Here

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

VISIT THE POSITION PAPER
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: Point of Pride

VISIT THE GUIDE
Three masked disabled people of color chat while strolling through an outdoor courtyard. On the left, an Indigenous woman wears glasses, wrist support braces, and waist trainers paired with a off-shoulder top and wide leg pants. In the middle, a Black non-binary woman walks with a rollator and wears waist trainers with ice pack inserts over their rainbow striped dress. On the right, a Latinx non-binary person walks while using a teal functional grip cane.
Three masked disabled people of colour walking outside with mobility aids. Credit: Disabled and Here

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

VISIT THE STYLE GUIDE
Closeup of letter tiles
Closeup of white tiles with letters of the alphabet

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

VISIT THE STYLE GUIDE
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

VISIT THE GUIDE
Indigenous person in a floral print top speaks on a podcast microphone in front of a yellow and blue tiled wall
An Indigenous person in a floral top with a podcast microphone before yellow and blue wall. Credit: CIRA

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

VISIT FIRST VOICES
White cutout of a speech bubble on a blue background
Blue graphic featuring a white speech bubble.

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

VISIT THE CHECKLIST
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

VISIT THE GUIDE
A South Asian person in her wheelchair takes notes by hand during a meeting.
A South Asian person in a wheelchair takes notes by hand at a table. Credit: Disabled and Here

Identity-First vs. Person-First Language

The article ‘Identity-first vs. person-first language is an important distinction’ covers some general rules of thumb on the use of appropriate, respectful language related to members of the disability community.

Resource by: Association of Health Care Journalists

VISIT THE ARTICLE
A Black person in an orange shirt is writing in a notebook at a desk.
A Black person in an orange shirt is writing in a notebook at a desk.

Identity-First Language

This article – originally titled ‘The Significance of Semantics: Person-First Language: Why It Matters’ – explores the significance of identity-first versus person-first language in relation to Autistic people/people with autism, linking a diversity of perspectives at the end.

Resource by: Lydia Brown, Autistic Hoya (republished by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network)

VISIT THE ARTICLE
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

VISIT THE GUIDE
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.

VISIT THE GUIDELINES
A young girl reads the Compact Oxford English Dictionary
A young girl reads the Compact Oxford English Dictionary.

Making it Clear: Clear Language for Union Communications

Making it Clear contains top tips on making sure written materials are easily understood by readers. It was created as part of the Learning in Solidarity series, for the Workplace Literacy Project by the Canadian Labour Congress.

Resource by: Canadian Labour Congress

VISIT THE RESOURCE
Closeup of an assortment of turquoise and white N95 masks on a white background.
Closeup of turquoise and white N95 masks.

Media Coverage of COVID: a Journalism Guide

This French and English guide covers language choices and framing for COVID and Long COVID – aimed at journalists, but useful for everyone who doesn’t want to cause harm or spread misinformation.

Resource by: Winslow Santé Publique

VISIT THE GUIDE
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

VISIT THE GLOSSARY
Three Black and disabled folx (a non-binary person holding a cane, a non-binary person sitting in a power wheelchair, and a femme sitting in a chair) casually smile at the camera while a rainbow pride flag drapes on the wall behind them.
Three Black and disabled folx smile in front of a rainbow flag on a wall. Credit: Disabled and Here

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

VISIT THE GLOSSARY
White cutout of a speech bubble on a fuchsia background
Pink graphic featuring a white speech bubble.

Simple, Clear and Concise Language

Simple, Clear and Concise Language features accessibility guidance on how to communicate in ways that are easy to read and understand. It is based on requirements from the Accessible Canada Act and related regulations.

Resource by: Canadian Human Rights Commission

VISIT THE GUIDE
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

VISIT THE GLOSSARY

Last updated October 12, 2026
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