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Bias-Free Language
Bias-Free Language
BIAS-FREE
LANGUAGE
reporter
FERDINAND RAMOS
GENDER
PROBLEMATIC
man, mankind
man the operation
chairman
PREFERRED
people, humanity,
humankind
staff the operation
chair, chairperson,
director
GENDER
PROBLEMATIC
PREFERRED
GENDER
PROBLEMATIC
PREFERRED
GENDER
PROBLEMATIC
Each student
should hand in his
term paper by
A nurse cares for
her patients
PREFERRED
Students should hand
in their term papers
by
Nurses care for their
patients
GENDER
PROBLEMATIC
PREFERRED
GENDER
PROBLEMATIC
PREFERRED
Danny Jones, a
strong athlete, and
Suzy Favor, an
attractive runner
GENDER
AGE
Refer to a persons age only when
relevant.
PROBLEMATIC
The researchers,
ages 58 and 60, won
a grant from the
university.
PREFERRED
Jane Reyes, 13, will study
at DLS-CSB this term.
She is the youngest
student ever to enroll at
the college.
AGE
When using a generic age description,
consult your subjects re: their
preference.
Avoid clichs and generalizations that
reinforce stereotypes about age.
AGE
Dont assume and underestimate
peoples capabilities based on their
age.
Never use patronizing language
(e.g. sweet little old lady).
AGE
In communications meant to represent
a range of experiences or POVs,
include people of diverse ages.
Newspaper style:
females 18 + are women, not
girls
males 18+ are men, not boys
RACE
AND
ETHNICITY
RACE
AND
ETHNICITY
RACE
AND
ETHNICITY
RACE
AND
ETHNICITY
RACE
AND
ETHNICITY
DISABILITIES
The terms impairment, disability,
and handicap are not synonymous.
IMPAIRMENT. a physiological condition
DISABILITY.
HANDICAP.
the consequence of an
impairment; may or may
not be handicapping
the social implication of a
disability
DISABILITIES
Disabled people should not be
automatically viewed as sick or
having
a
disease.
Do
not
generalize.
Put
people
disabilities.
The visually
impaired student
first,
not
their
DISABILITIES
Do not focus on a disability unless
it is relevant to your message.
IRRELEVANT The new instructor, whose
bout with polio left him on
crutches, will teach African
History.
RELEVANT
DISABILITIES
In photos or illustrations, depict
disabled people in everyday situations.
Do not focus on their disability.
SEXUAL
ORIENTATION
SEXUAL
GENDER or
PREFERENCE
SEXUAL
ORIENTATION
SEXUAL
Refer to societal groups in the way that
ORIENTATION
members of each group prefer (i.e.
some prefer to be called gay than
homosexual).
SEXUAL
Use lesbian and gay community
ORIENTATION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
University of Wisconsin Madison. (2015,
January).
A Guide to Bias-Free Communications.
Madison, Wisconsin, United States of
America.
Retrieved from
http://academicaffairs.ucsd.edu/
_files/aps/adeo/Article_Guide_to_BiasFree_Communications.pdf