Open’s Language Policy

Published May 26, 2026

Summary

This policy explains how people working at Open use language.

We use inclusive and respectful language.

Inclusive language:

• uses words that respect everyone

• avoids words that hurt people.

Words hurt people when they mean that some people are treated badly because of differences.

This can happen even when people don’t mean it.

Inclusive language helps people feel respected and valued.

Language changes over time.

We will update this policy when needed.

At Open, we share what we learn with others.

Sharing helps more people use inclusive language.

If you don’t know what word to use, ask the person what they prefer.

Applying this policy

This policy helps Open team members choose respectful and clear words.

It gives examples of preferred words and phrases.

This language policy is available in English and French.

It is written in easy read.

Easy read means it is easy to read and easy to understand.

People first

We choose language that respects each person.

We use the words people prefer.

People do not always agree on the right words to use.

Some people use words that were hurtful in the past.

They may do this to feel proud or strong.

At Open, we use people-first language.

People-first language means putting the person before a characteristic.

An example of this is ‘person with a disability’.

We use identity-first language only when a person prefers it.

Identity-first language means putting a characteristic first.

An example of this would be ‘autistic person’.

Words matter

We avoid turning people into labels.

Labels are not respectful.

They make people feel stuck to personal characteristics.

For example, we avoid saying “the autistics”.

We say “autistic people”.

If you are unsure which words to use, ask the person.

Asking shows respect for people’s preferences.

Think about your words

Some words are used without thinking about their meaning.

Take time to think before using words.

Ask yourself why you use them.

Look for more inclusive words.

Be open to changes in language

Language changes over time.

Some words are no longer used today.

Some words are no longer respectful.

Learning about these changes is important.

Be aware of stereotypes and microaggressions

Stereotypes are when words assume people who have a characteristic in common, are the same.

Microaggressions are words or actions that hurt people, even if we don’t mean it.

Be careful when talking about groups of people.

Do not say the same thing about all people in a group.

Do not guess things about people without knowing them.

Learn about different perspectives.

Identity inclusive language

Disability

Open uses the social model of disability.

A model is a way to understand something.

This model says barriers in society create disability.

Barriers are things that stop people from taking part in society.

Barriers can be environmental.

Environmental barriers are physical things, like buildings without ramps.

Barriers can be social.

Social barriers are attitudes or rules that exclude people.

Attitude barriers are negative beliefs or assumptions about people.

A person experiences disability when barriers stop people from taking part in society.

Everyone should be able to take part as much as they can.

Some people talk about visible and invisible disabilities.

Visible disabilities are disabilities people think they can see.

For example, people may assume wheelchair users have a disability.

Invisible disabilities are disabilities people think they cannot see.

Cognitive disabilities are often called invisible disabilities.

At Open, we avoid using the terms visible and invisible disabilities.

We use these terms if a person prefers them.

Open uses the word disability for a reason.

Not everyone uses the word disability.

We use the word disability to insist on the rights of people who experience barriers.

This meaning does not blame the individual.

Rights of persons with disabilities demand that schools, workplaces, hospitals try to remove as many
barriers as possible.

It is true also for everywhere we go, even the internet.

Accessibility is a human right.

In French, we say “a person in a situation of disability”.

This wording focuses on the situation, not the person.

At Open, we encourage using this wording even in English.

Cognitive disability and neurodiversity

Cognitive disability is a situation of disadvantage.

This situation makes it harder to take part in society.

People treat the information their brains receive in different ways.

People think and learn in different ways.

Sometimes, these differences are cognitive disabilities.

These differences can affect how people:

• Pay attention and stay focused,
• Remember things,
• Learn new things
• Make decisions,
• Speak and write,
• Move depending on what they feel,
• Understand social situations.

Neurodiversity means that people’s brains work in different ways.

People think, speak, learn, and remember in different ways.

Neurodivergent describes a person whose brain works in different ways from most people.

This difference is not bad.

Neurodiverse describes a group of neurodivergent people.

Neurotypical describes people whose thinking is similar to most people.

We use these terms because:

• They recognize that brains are different.
• They help show the strengths of neurodiversity.
• These terms are not medical labels.

Using these terms supports the social definition of disability.

The social definition focuses on barriers in society, not personal characteristics.

People living with mental health challenges

Mental health is about how we feel and how we connect with others.

Mental health affects daily life.

Daily life includes work, school, and relationships.

Some people live with mental health challenges.

These challenges can make daily life harder.

At Open, we say “living with mental health challenges”.

This term focuses on the person, not a diagnosis.

Other terms related to disabilities

Persons with a mobility impairment

A mobility impairment affects how a person moves.

Movement or mobility can include walking and using your hands to hold objects.

Some people with mobility impairments use wheelchairs.

People who use wheelchairs are wheelchair users.

A wheelchair is an assistive technology.

Assistive technology is a tool that helps people move or do tasks.

Persons who are blind, Deafblind, or who have low vision

People have different experiences with vision.

Visual experiences are about seeing.

We can say “persons who are blind”.

These people have lost their vision.

We can also say persons who are Deafblind.

Deafblind means having both vision and hearing loss.

We can also say persons who have low vision.

Low vision means a person can’t see well.

We avoid the term visually impaired.

Impaired suggests something is broken or wrong.

This word can feel negative to people.

Deaf persons and persons who are hard of hearing

A Deaf person has little or no functional hearing.

Functional hearing means hearing that supports everyday communication.

Sometimes the word Deaf is written with a capital D.

Deaf people often use sign language as their first language.

Persons who are hard of hearing have partial or total hearing loss.

People who are hard of hearing often use spoken language.

Person without a disability

Person without a disability is a neutral term.

Neutral means it does not judge or compare people.

We avoid the word normal.

Normal suggests that others are not normal.

We avoid the word healthy.

Healthy suggests that people with disabilities are unhealthy.

We avoid the term able-bodied.

Able-bodied suggests that people with disabilities are not able.

Using neutral language shows respect for everyone.