#dont use crazy to describe a mentally ill person's state. dont use lame to describe anybodys disabilities at all

[cyanide-sippy-cup]

For disability pride month, start amplifying disabled voices (you should be doing that anyway but especially this month)! There are a lot of people who try to be allies but end up speaking over us in quite harmful ways.

Like one of the things I've seen much of in the last couple days has been a lot of push for person-first language, that being language that centers the individual instead of the disability (ex: person who uses a wheelchair instead of wheelchair-bound). And I'm all for person-first language but keep in mind, that's an individual preference! Disability-focused language is actually preferable to a lot of people, myself included. The problem allies have with it is that it emphasizes the "problem" over the person, therefore it is "dehumanizing". However, for some, it is the opposite. Our disabilities are a big part of our lives, even to the point of practically controlling them. The focus on it helps push against the "it's not disabilities, it's different abilities!" mentality that is super harmful.

All in all, it's personal preference. If you want to use "person who uses a wheelchair" or "accessibility parking" instead of "handicap parking", that's up to you. Just be respectful of someone else's preferences, and if a disabled peer wants you to use certain language around them, do that. And remember to spread minority voices!

Oh and if I catch any of you spreading "it's not disabilities, it's different abilities!" I will tie you to a chair and force you to watch a sideshow until you learn the difference.