Neurodiversity (noun) The infinite diversity of human brains and minds. A biological fact.

• It is not:
  • a perspective, an approach, a belief, a political position, or a paradigm. That is called the neurodiversity paradigm.
  • a political or social activist movement. That is the Neurodiversity Movement. 
  • a trait that any individual possesses or can possess. When an individual or group of individuals diverges from the dominant societal standards of "normal" neurocognitive functioning, they don't "have neurodiversity" they are "neurodivergent."

Definition provided by Nick Walker, PhD in her essay Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms and Definitions. 

Accessibility (noun) the quality of being able to be reached, used, or entered. For people with disabilities, "accessibility is about making things more equitable so that disabled people have the same opportunities and support to thrive as nondisabled people. It's about removing barriers to participation, engagement, and understanding so that all people, regardless of ability, can experience the world around us to the fullest extent possible in ways that work for our minds and bodies. Accessibility is not about special treatment or privileges." (Ladau, 2022, p. 79).

From the Quinebaug Valley Library's Accessibility LibGuide:

"Accessibility is for everyone! For example, anyone with their hands full will appreciate a push button on a door, and someone watching a video in a noisy environment will appreciate captions or transcripts. Accommodations and assistive technology help make sure that everyone has equitable opportunities and experiences. At its core, accessibility means that resources, spaces, and services can be used by everyone with the same independence, effectiveness, and effort."

Ladau, E. (2021) "So, what is disability, anyway?" in Demystifying disability: What to know, what to say, and how to be an ally. Ten Speed Press. 

Self-advocacy (noun) the action of representing oneself or one's views or interests.

From the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network:

"Self-advocacy means taking control of our own lives. That can mean making choices about how we live our lives, like choosing what we do at home, at school, at work, or in our relationships. It can also mean working as a community to take control over how society views disabled people, how the media talks about us, and policies that affect our lives. ... Every disabled person is a self-advocate. There is no such thing as being “too disabled” to be a self-advocate. There are chances every day to self-advocate. Saying “No!” with your words or your actions is a kind of self-advocacy."

Further Resources on Self-Advocacy:

• "The Meaning of Self-Advocacy" by Amanda Baggs
• Lupus Foundation of America - What is Self-Advocacy?
• Learning Disabilities Association of America - Understanding Self-Advocacy

Identity-first Language (noun) When describing disabled individuals, identity first language puts the disability identity first. Sometimes abbreviated at IFL. Disability activist, Emily Ladau writes: "Identity-first language (IFL) is all about acknowledging disability as part of what makes a person who they are. ... In this case, disability isn't just a description or diagnosis; it's an identity that connects people to a community, a culture, and a history." (Ladau 2021, p. 11).

Some communities have voiced that as a community, they prefer identity-first language. Some examples include:

• the autistic community / an autistic person
• the Deaf community / a deaf person

The conversation about IFL versus PFL is complex and subjective to each person's experience. However, person-first or identity-first language can be equally appropriate depending on personal or community preference. When in doubt, ask the person which they prefer. When talking about a community, do your due diligence to research what language that community prefers. This is called using a person's preferred language.

Further Resources:

• "Writing Respectfully: Person-First and Identity-First Language" by Shannon Woolridge, National Institutes of Health
• "So, What is Disability, Anyway?" by Emily Ladau in her book Demystifying Disability

Ladau, E. (2021) "So, what is disability, anyway?" in Demystifying disability: What to know, what to say, and how to be an ally. Ten Speed Press. 

Person-first Language (noun) When describing individual with disabilities, person first language puts the person first. For example: "a person with a disability." Sometimes abbreviated at PFL. Disability activist Emily Ladau writes "the logic here is that disability is something a person has, rather than who they are, so by separating any mention of disability from the person and putting it second, you're showing that you respect the personhood of someone with a disability" (Ladau, 2021, p. 11). 

Some communities have voiced that as a community, they prefer person-first language. For example "many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities intentionally use PFL, as it is historically rooted in what is known at the People First movement, which emphasizes that people with disabilities are, first and foremost, people." (Ladau, 2021, p. 13). 

The conversation about PFL versus IFL is complex and subjective to each person's experience. However, person-first or identity-first language can be equally appropriate depending on personal or community preference. When in doubt, ask the person which they prefer. When talking about a community, do your due diligence to research what language that community prefers. This is called using a person's preferred language.

Further Resources:

• "Writing Respectfully: Person-First and Identity-First Language" by Shannon Woolridge, National Institutes of Health
• "So, What is Disability, Anyway?" by Emily Ladau in her book Demystifying Disability

Ladau, E. (2021) "So, what is disability, anyway?" in Demystifying disability: What to know, what to say, and how to be an ally. Ten Speed Press. 

Plain Language (noun) clear, straightforward expression, using only as many words as necessary. Language that avoids obscurity, inflated vocabulary and convoluted sentence construction. It is not baby talk, nor is it a simplified version of the English language. Writers of plain English let their audience concentrate on the message instead of being distracted by complicated language. Plain language is useful for everyone improves access to services for users with language barriers or some forms of neurodivergence. 

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as:

"Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience."

Further Resources on Plain Language:

• UC Berkeley's Digital Accessibility LibGuide
• PlainLanguage.gov
• LinkedIn Learning: Writing in Plain Language

Ableism (noun) discrimination and prejudice against people on the basis of disability in favor of able-bodied people. 

From Emily Ladau's Demystifying Disability:

"Ableism is attitudes, actions, and circumstances that devalue people because they are disabled or are perceived as having a disability. ... Although the term itself first came into use only in the later part of the twentieth century, ableism has always been part of our culture. It's so ingrained in society that it can be all too easy to overlook. ... To most of society, ableist beliefs and behavior don't raise any red flags because they're woven into the fabric of everyday life, simply accepted as the norm. For disabled people, though, ableism is always there - a part of our lives that never disappears, manifesting in endless forms ranging from broad, systemic discrimination to individual interactions." (Ladau, 2022, 70-71). 

Ladau, E. (2021) "So, what is disability, anyway?" in Demystifying disability: What to know, what to say, and how to be an ally. Ten Speed Press.