We believe passionately in people living with a disability getting a fair go. Unfortunately, media stories involving people living with a disability can sometimes, albeit unintentionally, prove counter-productive to the disability community, because of the language used. The Word Up campaign is a response to the unhelpful and sometimes offensive words that can appear in the media and other places in relation to stories and messages about people living with a disability.

Often the language used, such as ‘wheelchair-bound’, ‘the disabled’, and ‘disabled parking’ serves to reinforce ill-informed community perceptions about people living with a disability, and result in the maintenance of a culture of diminished values and opportunities. It is time to act, to work together to help ensure that our community is truly inclusive of people living with a disability and their families. The words we use reflect our values. So choose carefully, and help make a difference.