Refer to participants in Special Olympics as athletes. The word “Olympian” has been reserved for use by the International Olympic Committee.
Do not use the word “kids” when referring to Special Olympics athletes. Adult athletes are an integral part of the program.
A person has an intellectual disability, rather than is suffering from, afflicted with, or a victim of intellectual disabilities.
A person uses a wheelchair rather than is confined or restricted to a wheelchair.
Down syndrome has replaced Down’s Syndrome and mongoloid.
Physically challenged or disabled rather than crippled.
Someone who is partially sighted is visually impaired rather than blind.
A person is hearing impaired rather than deaf or deaf mute.
A person has a seizure rather than a fit.
A person has a seizure disorder or epilepsy, rather than is epileptic.
Distinguish between adults and children with intellectual disabilities as older and younger athletes.
Do not use the adjective unfortunate when talking about persons with intellectual disabilities. Disabling conditions do not have to be life-defining in a negative way.
Do not use the word “special” when talking about persons with intellectual disabilities.
