Words that build: The use of inclusive language

Introduction

NOT long ago, a person with a mobility impairment shared her experience of being introduced at a public event as “the cripple who defied odds to go to university.” The crowd cheered to what seemed like a celebration of her achievement but, in fact, it reinforced a painful truth and a reminder that her identity would always be reduced to her physical condition. An indication that words are powerful, they do not merely describe reality; they also shape and influence how people see themselves and others. What was framed as praise became an act of erasure. This label did more than merely describe reality; it actively shaped it, defining who belonged, who was pitied, and who was excluded.

In Ghana and beyond, outdated labels, inappropriate language and careless expression have reinforced discrimination, even when well-intended, oftentimes stripping away people’s dignity. We can all agree that the way we describe people reveals how much dignity, respect, and equality we truly extend. The use of inappropriate words is not just insensitive, but a direct affront to equality and human rights, because they contribute to shaping perceptions and also reinforce stereotypes and stigmatisation. When language demeans, it does more than offend; it entrenches stereotypes, legitimises exclusion, and violates fundamental human rights.

For Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), especially, inappropriate labels are among the most subtle yet destructive forms of discrimination. As the United Nations Inclusive Language Guide reminds us, what we say and how we say it matters. If Ghana is truly committed to equality, inclusive language must no longer be a polite suggestion; it must be treated as a non-negotiable civic responsibility.

The rights of Persons with Disabilities

The global movement for disability rights is grounded in the recognition that persons with disabilities are entitled to the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as everyone else. This principle is firmly established in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted in 2006 and ratified by Ghana in 2012. The Convention affirms respect for inherent dignity, non-discrimination, full inclusion, and effective participation in decision-making and society.

Notably, Article 8 of the CRPD places a direct obligation on States to combat stereotypes, challenge harmful practices, and promote positive perceptions of persons with disabilities. This obligation extends beyond physical infrastructure and accessibility to encompass attitudes, language, representation, and social norms, recognising that exclusion is often rooted in perception rather than impairment.

At the national level, Ghana’s commitment to disability rights is reflected in both its constitutional framework and statutory law. Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds including disability. Article 21 further guarantees fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, thought, conscience, belief, and access to information for all persons, including persons with disabilities.

More specifically, Article 29 of the Constitution recognises the rights of persons with disabilities and places a duty on the State to take appropriate measures to ensure their full integration into society. These constitutional guarantees are reinforced by the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715), which provides protections in education, employment, healthcare, and accessibility.

Ghana’s Reality

According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, approximately 8 per cent of Ghanaians, over two million people, live with some form of disability. Despite these constitutional and legislative frameworks, persons with disabilities remain marginalised, not because of their impairments, but because of persistent stereotypes and exclusionary social attitudes reinforced through language and institutional practices.

In its 2024 concluding observations on Ghana, the UN Committee on the rights of persons with disabilities expressed concern about the treatment of persons with disabilities in some Ghanaian communities. In these contexts, disability is often associated with curses, punishment, or spiritual affliction. Such beliefs are frequently expressed through derogatory terms in local dialects that link disability to shame or misfortune, reinforcing the perception of disability as tragedy rather than a legitimate form of human diversity. These attitudes have resulted in isolation, stigmatisation, abandonment, and, in some cases, inhumane treatment and physical abuse.

People with disabilities face significant economic challenges, including high unemployment rates that hinder their ability to live independently. Also, systemic discrimination and stigmatization that further obstruct their participation in community life and negatively impact their overall quality of life. When society casually labels people as “crippled,” “dumb,” “retarded,” “deformed,” or “handicapped” in conversations, classrooms, workplaces, and media reports, it suggests that exclusion is socially acceptable and attempts to make discrimination socially acceptable.

The committee also observed that public awareness campaigns on disability rights often highlight accessibility, with limited focus on language and attitudes. These campaigns overlook how words describing disability are used as metaphors for weakness, incapacity, or failure, particularly in political rhetoric and everyday speech. This further entrenches exclusion, ultimately creating barriers for persons with disabilities.

Although the 1992 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, thought, conscience, belief, and access to information under Article 21, many persons with disabilities are unable to enjoy these rights in practice. The persistent lack of accessible communication formats, such as braille, sign language interpretation, captioning, and easy-read materials, excludes persons with disabilities from essential public information and services. This reality undermines the constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination under Article 17 and contradicts the State’s obligations under Article 29 to promote the full participation of persons with disabilities in society.

Despite sustained advocacy by organisations such as the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, public awareness of disability rights, particularly under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, remains low. The gap between legal recognition and lived experience highlights that Ghana’s challenge is not ignorance alone. It reflects a deeper societal reluctance to embrace disability as diversity, and a failure to confront the linguistic and attitudinal barriers that continue to deny persons with disabilities their full and equal rights.

Building a language of respect: Guidance from the United Nations on inclusive language

The United Nations (UN) Inclusive Language Guide, created in 2019 as part of the UN disability inclusion strategy, aims to eliminate barriers and actively engage persons with disabilities in all aspects of work and life. It offers practical steps and recommendations for governments, media, educators, and individuals to use in both oral and written communication, including social media posts, speeches, presentations, and various formal and informal documents.

A key principle of the guide is the understanding that disability is just one facet of a person’s identity, not their entire identity. The guide advocates for a shift away from the outdated medical model of disability, which perceives impairment as a defect, towards a social model that recognises societal barriers, whether physical, attitudinal, or linguistic, as the true obstacles to inclusion.

Key guidelines include using person-first language, which is recommended, as it places the person before their disability. For example, it is better to say “persons with disabilities” instead of “the disabled person.” We should also avoid negative labels such as “deranged,” “retard,” or “deformed,” which can portray Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) as pitiable or less than human. Additionally, we should only mention a disability when it is necessary to the story, and when we do, we must use precise and respectful terms. These simple yet profound changes affirm dignity and align our communication with human rights standards.

Constitutional reform and the case for changing the language

The 2025 Constitutional Review Committee proposed important reforms to Article 29 of the Constitution, intentionally incorporating key principles from the UN Inclusive Language Guide and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to reshape Ghana’s constitutional approach to disability rights.

In accordance with the guide’s focus on person-first language and respect for identity, the Committee recommended changing the phrase “Rights of Disabled Persons” to “Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” They also suggested removing vague terms like “as far as practicable” concerning accessibility. Instead, they called for clear and enforceable constitutional obligations, reflecting the UN framework’s insistence that inclusion is a right, not merely a matter of discretion or convenience.

Importantly, the committee highlighted that promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities requires effective enforcement mechanisms. Therefore, they recommended that Article 29 be amended to require parliament to establish strong complaint, inspection, sanction, and compensation mechanisms, emphasising that rights without remedies are ultimately symbolic.

Overall, these recommendations aim to align the constitution with modern human rights standards and the social model of disability, which will help transform attitudes and inform policy and practice.

Conclusion

The words we choose to describe individuals with disabilities have a significant impact. Language is far from a trivial matter, and therefore, it is essential to raise awareness about the appropriate language to use when talking to or about people with disabilities, as it serves as one of the initial battlegrounds for inclusion. Inclusive language is not just a matter of courtesy; it is a fundamental duty and a human rights obligation.

As the country moves toward a more inclusive society, Ghana can combat ableism and challenge deeply rooted stereotypes by aligning our laws, public discourse, and communication practices with the principles of dignity, equality, and accountability. One truth remains clear: when language evolves, society follows. Words that promote dignity lay the groundwork for genuine inclusion, viewing disability not as a deficiency, but as an integral part of human diversity.

The writer is a Strategic Communications Professional and a Human Rights Advocate.

BY RUFINA DIMBOEY
PWAWUVI

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