Inclusive language Archives - Page 3 of 3

Community participation guidelines

A set of rules that describe the expected behaviors of all community members and also highlight how the expected behaviors relate to a community’s core values. Community participation guidelines may include concrete examples of welcome and unwelcome behaviors, a link to the reporting process, and what to expect when violations occur.

Sometimes considered synonymous with a code of conduct, although definitions vary.

Example: CSCCE Community Participation Guidelines

Citation: Center for Scientific Collaboration and Community Engagement. (2021) CSCCE Glossary: Inclusive Language in Community Building. Woodley, Pratt, Bakker, Bertipaglia, Dow, El Zein, Kuwana, Lower, Roca, and Santistevan doi: 10.5281/zenodo.5718783

Ally/Allyship

Being actively supportive of a marginalized group while not necessarily personally identifying with the group. Your identity as an ally is not something you can claim for yourself. Instead, your actions can result in you being seen as an ally by the people you support. Allyship training is increasingly available to facilitators and community conveners.

Note: An individual can be a member of a marginalized group while also an ally to a different marginalized group. Membership in the former does not necessarily confer allyship to the latter since learning about our own biases and the group’s needs is a continual process.

Example: https://frameshiftconsulting.com/

Additional Reading:

Accessibility

The concept of whether a product, service, or space can be used by as broad an audience as possible, which differs from general usability by focusing on providing an equivalent user experience to people with disabilities. Factors that make up accessibility include visual, auditory, and mobility components, and the ability of a product, service, or space to interface or be used with assistive technology (such as a screen reader or mobility aids).

Specifically, when thinking about virtual environments, accessibility considerations include providing closed captioning and/or subtitles, ensuring the platforms you use are screen reader compatible, offering asynchronous content, and ensuring participants have multiple ways that they can take part (e.g., text-based messaging and opportunities to connect one-on-one or in small groups).

Further reading: Ensuring Virtual Events are Accessible for All, by RespectAbility: Lauren Appelbaum and Eric Ascher

Citation: Center for Scientific Collaboration and Community Engagement. (2022) CSCCE Glossary: Virtual Events. Pratt, Woodley, Ainsworth, Carter, Crall, Elkins, Gauthier, Ihle, Kornahrens, Martinic, Santistevan, Shaikh, Sidik, and Wyatt doi: 10.5281/zenodo.6608609

Ableist language and behavior

Using language that places a negative emphasis on disability or a positive emphasis on being able-bodied. Many commonly used idioms are ableist in nature. Examples include: being “blind” to something, referring to an unexpected decision as “insane,” or noting that a point “fell on deaf ears.” In general, use the terminology preferred by the individual or group being addressed.

Additional reading: Best practices for avoiding ableist terminology