WIPO Guidelines on

Inclusive Language
Foreword

Language is a reflection of the society in which we live and a vehicle

for conveying its values. As those values evolve, so too does the
language in which they are expressed. A vigorous debate continues
to this day on how language can or should adapt to the changes
that have taken place, and continue to take place, at many levels of
society and to the growing awareness of the rights and needs of all
its members.

On October 21, 2015, the General Assembly of the United Nations

adopted resolution No. 70/1 on “Transforming our world: the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development”. That resolution was the basis
of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals that serve as way
markers for development around the world until 2030. The word
“inclusive” appears in the resolution 40 times. One of the many tools
for achieving inclusive societies is language: just as important as the
ideas behind development at all levels of societies is the way in which
they are expressed and transmitted.

The rights of many different groups in society are enshrined in a

series of United Nations human rights conventions, including the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women, which was adopted by the General Assembly in 1979, the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006), the
International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial
Discrimination (1965) and the International Convention on the
Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
Their Families (1990). They and many other such instruments have
in common the desire to uphold the rights of all to equal and fair
treatment, and thereby to make the world a better place.

A rights-based approach lies at the heart of the work of the United

Nations system, of which the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO) is a specialized agency. WIPO has a particular interest in
ensuring that all should enjoy the fruits of humanity’s intellectual

1
 endeavors. That was underlined in 2013 with the adoption of the
Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons
Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled.
Another practical way in which WIPO can contribute to that goal is by
expressing itself, through its official documentation and publications,
in an inclusive manner.

It is with that in mind that the following guidelines have been drawn
up. They constitute a clear, concise and straightforward awareness-
raising tool on how to approach the drafting of texts in a way that
is consistent with WIPO’s Medium Term Strategic Plan and which
ensures that we “leave no one behind”.

Daren Tang
Director General

2
Introduction

At the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), discrimination

is defined as “any unfair or prejudicial treatment, or arbitrary
distinction, based on a person’s race, gender, religion, nationality,
ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, language, social origin
or other status”. 1

These guidelines contain strategies and tips to encourage the

use of non-discriminatory language in WIPO documentation and
publications, in line with the fundamental values of the United
Nations regarding equality and diversity. The aim of employing
inclusive language is to avoid the use of words, terms, expressions
or grammatical structures that may, inadvertently or otherwise, be
interpreted as in some way excluding individuals or groups of people.

WIPO recognizes that approaches to inclusive language vary across

countries and cultures and that certain terms and expressions are not
universally accepted. These guidelines are based on current broad
practice in and beyond the United Nations system.

The guidelines consist of thematic modules and constitute a living

document. It is anticipated that further modules will be added, and
the current ones updated, in line with evolving practice.

What follows is a set of suggested and preferred approaches to

certain linguistic situations. It is not prescriptive and common sense
and clarity of text should always prevail. The conscious application
of inclusive language does not need to be onerous. Often, relatively
few and minor adjustments in the use of certain parts of speech and
particular terms can make all the difference and require little effort.
Non-exhaustive lists of terms are contained in annexes to each
module.

1  Office instruction No. 27/2021 on Workplace-related conflicts and grievances.

3
 The guidelines are intended for use in the drafting, translation and
revision of documents, publications and any other matter in print
produced by WIPO. The aim is to harmonize practice across the
Organization.

4
Module 1
Gender-inclusive language
Guiding strategies 6

A. Gender-neutral language 7
Part I – Gender-neutral terms 7
1. Replace generic masculine nouns with
gender-neutral nouns 7
2. Replace generic masculine pronouns with
gender-neutral nouns 8
3. Replace the third person with the second person 8
Part II – Gender-neutral structures 9
1. Replace the generic masculine with plural forms  9
2. Use passive forms to replace the generic masculine 9
3. Replace the generic masculine pronoun with neutral
expressions, or reformulate the sentence  10

B. Gendered language 11
1. Pairing 11
Replace generic masculine pronouns with paired pronouns 11
2. Forms of address  12

C. Avoiding stereotypes 13
Professions and skills 13

Box: Sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression 14

Annex I 16

Annex II 20

Annex III 21

Sources and further information 23

5
Guiding strategies

When writing inclusively from a gender equality perspective, it is

important to take into account the communicative goal of the text and
the type of text, its context and audience. That will determine which
solutions best support its purpose and which strategy to use. These
guidelines contain references to techniques to make language more
inclusive. Combining them will help to produce readable, fluid and
clear text.

Two strategies are generally used to make language gender-inclusive:

- Making gender invisible by using gender-neutral language.

In most cases, gender is irrelevant to the communicative goal,
and, in fact, distracts from the purpose of the text. Gender-neutral
language makes no mention of gender, gender identity, sex or
sexual orientation. In English, the use of gender-neutral language
is the preferred strategy, because neutrality includes all human
beings without making unnecessary distinctions.

- Making gender visible by using gendered language. This

strategy can be useful in the context of promoting gender
equality, which requires the use of language that represents
men and women equally. The use of gendered language helps
to re-establish a balance between an over-represented group
(for instance, men) and one (or more) unrepresented groups (in
this case, women). For example, in the case of a text discussing
disparities, marginalization, inclusion or exclusion, specifying the
gender is relevant as it highlights that different groups may be
affected by or experience a situation differently.

In addition, gender-inclusive language avoids stereotypes and

expressions that reinforce stereotypes. Language can perpetuate the
stereotypical representation of one or more groups, associating it or
them with specific traits, abilities, skills or behaviors.

6
A. Gender-neutral language

In the majority of contexts, the gender aspect is irrelevant to the

substance of what is being communicated. Where that is the case,
the techniques listed below can be used.

The generic masculine (masculine as default) can be, and often

is, perceived as biased language. The generic masculine consists
in using masculine-specific nouns and pronouns when the noun or
pronoun stands specifically either for a female person or for a person
or group of indeterminate gender. The use of the generic masculine
gives the impression that women are not represented in certain
groups or do not possess certain skills. Representation is important
for inclusive communication. In general, when sex or gender is not
set, avoid defaulting to one sex with generic masculine nouns or
pronouns.

Part I – Gender-neutral terms

1. Replace generic masculine nouns with gender-neutral nouns

Prefer Avoid

This organization This organization supports the

supports the rights of all rights of all mankind.
humankind (humanity).

The chairperson/chair gave The chairman gave the floor to

the floor to the delegate. the delegate.

See Annexes I and III for additional examples.

7
 2. Replace generic masculine pronouns with gender-neutral nouns

Prefer Avoid

Tell the student/writer/applicant Tell him to include a postal

to include a postal address. address.

3. Replace the third person with the second person

This can be useful when seeking to draw the reader into the text.

Prefer Avoid

When sending your When a student sends his

application, you should include application, he should include a
a postal address. postal address.

8
Part II – Gender-neutral structures

1. Replace the generic masculine with plural forms

Prefer Avoid

Students of the DL-101 course If a student of the DL-101

wishing/who wish to register course wishes to register for
for more advanced courses more advanced courses, he
should send an email to the should send an email to the
admissions office.
admissions office.
If students of the DL-101
course wish to register for
more advanced courses, they
should send an email to the
admissions office.

Help your children to do Help your child to do it himself.

it themselves.

Somebody forgot their phone Somebody forgot his phone in

in the conference hall. the conference hall.

The use of plural pronouns to refer to nouns in the singular (as in

the last example), while strictly speaking grammatically incorrect, is
gaining acceptance as a means of avoiding unnecessary reference
to gender.

2. Use passive forms to replace the generic masculine

Prefer Avoid

Students’ applications should When a student sends his

be accompanied by a postal application, he should include a
address. postal address.

9
 3. Replace the generic masculine or feminine pronoun with neutral
expressions, or reformulate the sentence

Prefer Avoid

Each assistant must learn Each assistant must learn to

to use the software when use the software when he can.
time permits.

Students should include a When a student sends her

postal address when sending application, she should include
(their) applications. a postal address.

Applications should include a

postal address.

A rights holder who wishes to If a rights holder wishes to

challenge a ruling may do so challenge a ruling, he may do
within three months. so within three months.

A doctor in rural areas earns A doctor in rural areas earns

less than one in the capital. less than she would in
the capital.

10
B. Gendered language

In some contexts, making gender visible is part of the communicative

goal. This technique is effective when popular beliefs or
preconceptions may obscure the presence or action of either gender.
Representation helps redress imbalances so that groups that have
enjoyed little or no visibility are included. This technique is important,
especially when the communicative goal is to support gender equality
and the reduction of disparities.

Although gender-neutral language is generally preferrable, in some

instances, gendered language better serves the communicative
purpose of the text. The efforts of WIPO to showcase women
inventors or gender parity in management positions are examples of
such cases.

Pairing is the main technique used. It involves juxtaposing two nouns

or pronouns to represent more than one gender. When pairing nouns,
alphabetical order (“female and male” or “men and women”) is
generally preferable.

1. Pairing

Replace generic masculine pronouns with paired pronouns

Prefer Avoid

This job requires the This job requires the

recruitment of an IP expert. He recruitment of an IP expert. He
or she must have a Master’s must have a Master’s degree
degree in IP. in IP.

Two seats will be reserved for Two seats will be reserved for
the Delegate and her or his the Delegate and his assistant.
assistant.

11
 Pairing can, however, hamper readability, especially if frequently
repeated. It should therefore be used in conjunction with other
solutions.

2. Forms of address

There should be consistency in the way women and men are referred
to: “Mr.” for men should be matched with “Ms.” for women (rather
than “Miss” or “Mrs.”) since the marital status of a woman is irrelevant
in most contexts. Moreover, if a person of one gender in a group is
referred to by her or his name, last name, courtesy title or profession,
the other one(s) should be as well.

When referring to or addressing specific individuals, forms of address

and pronouns that are consistent with their gender identity should be
used.

12
C. Avoiding stereotypes

Professions and skills

Professions and skills have no gender: men and women can exercise
whichever profession, occupy any social role and possess any type
of skill, as global data show. It is therefore important to use neutral
terms so as not to stereotype professions or skills. For example,
professions like nurse, doctor, Prime Minister and adviser are gender
neutral in English.

On occasion, however, the goal of overcoming stereotypes may be

better served by explicitly indicating that some professions can be
exercised by an otherwise under-represented group or that certain
skills or abilities are not necessarily the preserve of the groups
traditionally associated with them. In such cases, pairing a neutral
noun to a gendered adjective may in fact help to reverse traditional
perceptions about which gender is “usually” associated with a given
profession or activity. For instance:

Although the number of male nurses has increased in recent years,

they still represent only 12 per cent of the nursing profession.

We are proud to lead the way in the recruitment of woman doctors in

male-dominated specialties.

See Annex I for additional examples.

13
Box: Sexual orientation, gender
identity and gender expression
Heteronormativity is the belief that there are two genders, male
and female, that the biological sex of one person coincides with
their sexual orientation and that the default sexual orientation
is heterosexuality. Such bias can result in the stigmatization
and marginalization of the forms of sexual orientation and
gender identity that are perceived to be outside the binary
heteronormative options.

When dealing with sexual orientation, gender identity and

gender expression, the same strategies (“make it visible” and
“make it invisible”) listed above should be used. When the sexual
orientation, gender identity or gender expression are not relevant
to the communicative goal – which is generally the case – they
should not be highlighted. When, on the other hand, the text
aims to redress representation imbalances, fight stereotypes or
promote inclusion, appropriate terms relating to sexual orientation,
gender identity and gender expression should be used instead.

A glossary is available in Annex II.

When fighting discrimination and marginalization linked to sexual

orientation, gender identity and gender expression, the technique
generally used is:

Replace heteronormative terms and expressions with

gender-neutral words

Prefer Avoid

Guests are cordially invited to Guests are cordially invited to

attend with their partners. attend with their wives.

continued over

14
In addition, when personal data is collected – for example, in
registration forms for events, etc. – three options (woman, man,
other) should be provided as a minimum to users. A fourth
option (“prefer not to say”) can also be added depending on the
content and purpose of the form. This solution contributes to
inclusivity.

15
Annex I

The following list of professions and roles is based in part on the

guidance contained in Gender-neutral language in the European
Parliament, issued by the European Parliament (https://www.europarl.
europa.eu/cmsdata/151780/GNL_Guidelines_EN.pdf).

Use for both sexes Notes/exceptions

Actor Use actor/actress if the

person’s gender is relevant

Ambassador

Attaché Use for women and men

Author

Birth attendant Midwife may still be the

preferable term, depending on
the context

Businessperson (plural: Not businessman; use

businesspeople), businesswoman only if the
executive, entrepreneur person’s gender is being
stressed

Camera operator Use cameraman/

camerawoman if the person’s
gender is relevant

Chair or chairperson Not chairman/chairwoman

Cleaner Not cleaning lady

Cleric Not churchman

Commissioner
continued over

16
Craftsperson, artisan Not craftsman

Delivery driver, delivery clerk, Not delivery man/delivery boy

porter, courier, messenger

Director

Doctor, physician

Drafter Not draughtsman/

draughtswoman, draftsman/
draftswoman

Firefighter Not fireman

Fisher(s) Fisherman/men are still

common usage and may be
more appropriate, depending
on context

Flight attendant/flight crew Not air hostess(es) or

stewardess(es)

Head of school/head teacher/ Not headmaster or

principal/director headmistress

Domestic worker/ Not housemaid

household employee

Intern

Interpreter

Journalist

Judge
continued over

17
 Lawyer

Layperson (plural: laypeople) Not layman/laymen

Lecturer

Lumber cutter, tree cutter, Not lumberman, lumberjack

wood chopper, logger

Mail/postal carrier Not mailman, postman

Manager

Mayor Not mayoress

Nurse

Official

Poet Poetess or woman/female

poet only when the gender is
relevant

Police officer Not policeman

Politician

President

Priest Only use “woman priest”

if gender is relevant; use
“priestess” only in a historical
context (e.g., Roman priestess
of Vesta)

Prime Minister

Professor
continued over

18
Railway worker Not railway man

Rector/vice-chancellor

Sales representative Not salesman

Scientist

Shop assistant, sales Not salesman/saleslady

attendant, salesperson

Speaker

Spokesperson Not spokesman/spokeswoman

Sportsperson, player, athlete; Not sportsman/sportswoman

or specify the sport (e.g.,
football player, gymnast,
jockey, swimmer etc.)

Supervisor; foreperson Avoid foreman where possible

(presiding member of a jury in (may depend on context)
the United States)

Teacher

Technician

Trainee

Translator

Usher Not usherette

Wait staff, (restaurant) server Not waiter/waitress

Weather forecaster/ Not weatherman

reporter, meteorologist

19
Annex II2

Sexual orientation A person’s enduring capacity for profound

romantic, emotional and/or physical feelings for, or attraction to,
other people. Encompasses hetero-, homo-, bi-, pan- and asexuality,
as well as a wide range of other expressions of sexual orientation.
This term is preferred over the terms and phrases sexual preference,
sexual behavior, lifestyle and way of life when describing an
individual’s attraction to other people.

Gender identity A person’s deeply felt internal and individual

experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with their
sex assigned at birth or the gender attributed to them by society.
It includes the personal sense of the body, which may or may not
involve a desire for modification of appearance or function of the
body by medical, surgical or other means.

Gender expression Individuals use a range of cues, such as

names, pronouns, behavior, clothing, voice, mannerisms and bodily
characteristics, to interpret other individuals’ genders. Gender
expression is not necessarily an accurate reflection of gender
identity. People with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or sex
characteristics do not necessarily have a diverse gender expression.
Likewise, people who do not have a diverse sexual orientation,
gender identity or sex characteristics may have a diverse gender
expression.

2  Additional terms are available at IOM_SOGIESC_Full_Glossary_2020.pdf

(squarespace.com)

20
Annex III

The below list contains suggested alternatives to common gendered

terms.

Use this Instead of this

The human family, Brotherhood of man

humanity, humankind

Cave dweller, Caveman/cavewoman

prehistoric people

English person/national Englishman

Founder of psychiatry Father of psychiatry

Country of birth, homeland, Fatherland/motherland

native land

Feelings of kinship, solidarity, Feeling of brotherhood

collegiality, unity, community

Forebears Forefathers

The founders, Founding fathers (except

founding leaders in historical contexts, such
as with reference to the
founding of the United States
of America)

Person, individual, human, Man (unless talking about

the human race someone who is a man)

Humanity, humankind Mankind

continued over

21
 Ordinary citizen, Man in the street (although
typical person, average man and woman in the street
person, layperson may work as a form of gender
pairing), layman

Farmer, rural Man of the land

worker, landowner

A faithful dog Man’s best friend

Adulthood, maturity Manhood

Person-hours, work hours, Man-hours

staff hours

Hand-built, hand-made, Man-made

synthetic, artificial,
simulated, machine-made,
human-caused (depending
on context)

Labor, workforce, employees, Manpower

personnel, staff, human
resources, labor force

Fair, sporting Sportsmanlike

Statecraft Statesmanship

To operate, to staff etc. To man (e.g., to man the

phones, prefer: to answer
the phones)

Service entrance, Tradesman’s entrance

delivery entrance

22
Sources and further
information
General guides

Inclusive Language Guide of the University of Calgary

https://observatori382866246.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/inclusive-
language-guide-june-13-2017.pdf

University of Victoria guidelines for inclusive language (covers gender

and sex, Indigenous populations, disability, ethnicity and more)
https://www.uvic.ca/brand/story/style/inclusivity/index.
php#:~:text=Inclusive%20communication%20that%20respects%20
and,terms%20change%20as%20language%20evolves

Gender-inclusive and gender-neutral language guides

American Psychological Association – article on Avoiding

Heterosexual Bias in Language
https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/language

Gender-neutral language in the European Parliament

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/151780/GNL_Guidelines_
EN.pdf

IOM/UNHCR Glossary of terms on gender and sexual identity

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5367af22e4b0915380a1eb0a/
t/5a86fd718165f5f7f8fbe8ab/1518796147195/Annex+I+to+the+UN-
GLOBE+Recommendations+-+IOM+UNHCR+glossary+of+terms.pdf

United Nations Guidelines for gender-inclusive language in English

https://www.un.org/en/gender-inclusive-language/guidelines.shtml

UN-Women Gender-inclusive language guidelines

https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/
sections/library/gender-inclusive%20language/guidelines-on-gender-
inclusive-language-en.pdf?la=en&vs=2633

23
Module 2
Disability inclusive language
General guidance 26

A. Person-first language 27
1. Use “with” phrases 27
2. Use “is” or “has” phrases 27
3. Avoid judgmental language 27

B. Omission 28

Annex  29

Sources and further information 33

25
General guidance

The language for describing disability has evolved considerably over

time. In writing about disability, the goal is to avoid words, terms or
expressions that might be interpreted as conveying an impression of
inferiority, implying exclusion or harking back to outdated concepts.
The careful choice of inclusive language can therefore contribute to
the goals enshrined in the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy
and efforts to address “ableism”.

When referring to persons with disabilities, it is important to

distinguish between the terms “impairment” and “disability”.

- Impairment: Problems in body function or structure, such as a

significant deviation or loss (Towards a Common Language for
Functioning, Disability and Health, WHO, 2002, p. 10).

- Disability: Persons with disabilities include those who have long-

term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments that, in
interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective
participation in society on an equal basis with others (article 1 of
the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).

In other words, the term impairment refers to a person’s physical,

mental, intellectual or sensory condition(s), while disability results
from the combination of such an impairment and barriers in the
environment. A person can have more than one impairment.
Impairments do not necessarily lead to disability. Impairments and
disabilities are not always visible.

The use of terms like “bipolar OCD” (obsessive-compulsive disorder)

and “ADD” (attention-deficit disorder) to describe the behavior of
people without actual psychiatric disabilities should be avoided, as it
trivializes the conditions to which such terms are properly applied.

26
A. Person-first language

It is important to always refer to the person first, and the impairment or

disability in a second instance. So for example, “persons who are blind
or otherwise print disabled” and not “the blind” or “the print disabled”.

Rather than defining people by the conditions they have or

depersonalizing them by turning descriptors into nouns (“the
disabled”, “the blind”, “a schizophrenic”), it is preferable to use
person-first language, whereby the person is not defined by their
impairment or disability.

In addition to the examples below, a further list is provided in the

annex.

1. Use “with” phrases

Person with Down’s syndrome, epilepsy, diabetes, autism etc.

2. Use “is” or “has” phrases

Person who is blind/deaf, person who is visually/hearing impaired.

Person who has Down’s syndrome, epilepsy, diabetes, autism etc.

3. Avoid judgmental language

A person may have a condition but may not necessarily suffer

from, be afflicted by or be a victim of it. In any event, the emphasis
should be on a factual rather than value-laden description of the
given situation. Wheelchair users, for instance, may well see their
wheelchairs as a means of mobility and freedom rather than as a sign
of their impairment.

“Wheelchair user” rather than “wheelchair-bound person”.

“Person who has had a stroke” rather than “stroke victim”.

27
B. Omission

Mention of a person’s impairment or disability should be avoided

where irrelevant in a given context.

The student, who uses a wheelchair, described the accessibility of

the campus. (Relevant)

The student, who uses a wheelchair, is a keen reader. (Irrelevant)

In addition to annex I of this module, further information on specific

terms that may require additional clarification before being used is
provided in annex II of the United Nations Office at Geneva Disability-
Inclusive Language Guidelines (available at https://www.ungeneva.
org/sites/default/files/2021-01/Disability-Inclusive-Language-
Guidelines.pdf).

28
Annex

List of terms and phrases relating to disability, sourced from the

United States Center for Disease Control, the Stanford Disability
Initiative and other organizations.

Use this Instead of this

Person with/who has a The disabled/handicapped,

disability/an impairment, person with special needs
person with functional/
particular/individual needs or
requirements

Person without a disability, Normal/healthy/able-

non-disabled person bodied person

Person with an intellectual, Retarded/slow/feeble-minded/

cognitive, developmental simple/special/mentally
disability; person with handicapped person
learning difficulties

Person with an emotional Insane, crazy, mad

or behavioral disability,
person with a mental
health or a psychiatric/
psychosocial disability

Person with/who Depressive

has depression

Person with/who Schizophrenic

has schizophrenia

Person (living) with/who AIDS victim/patient

has HIV/AIDS
continued over

29
 (HIV is the virus, AIDS is AIDS or HIV carrier
the syndrome)

Person who is hearing The deaf (avoid collective

impaired/deaf (some nouns to label persons with
people object to “hearing any given impairment)
impaired” as it characterizes
the condition in terms of a
lack). The word “deaf” is
best restricted to persons
with a complete or nearly
complete hearing loss. Other
alternatives include: hard of
hearing or person with limited
hearing capacity

Person who is visually The blind (avoid collective

impaired/blind (some people nouns to label persons
object to “visually impaired” as with any given impairment).
it characterizes the condition “Persons with a reading
in terms of a lack). The word disability” should not be used
“blind” is best restricted to to refer to people who cannot
persons with a complete or see printed text, but can read
nearly complete loss of sight. using other senses such as
Other alternatives include: touch or if the text is adjusted
person with/who has limited (e.g. large print)
vision/low vision, person who
has a print disability

Person with a speech Mute, dumb (the latter in

impairment, who has a particular should be avoided,
communication disorder, as it also implies limited
is unable to speak/uses a intelligence)
device to speak
continued over

30
Person who uses a Confined or restricted to a
wheelchair, person with wheelchair, wheelchair-bound
a mobility impairment/
reduced mobility

Person with/who has a Crippled, lame, deformed,

physical disability invalid, spastic

Person with/who has epilepsy Epileptic

Person with/who has Afflicted by MS

multiple sclerosis

Person with/who has CP victim

cerebral palsy

Person with/who has diabetes Diabetic

Accessible parking/bathroom Handicapped parking/

bathroom

Person with/of short stature, Midget. Note, although

little person/people dwarfism is a legitimate
medical term, some
people prefer to avoid the
terms “dwarf/dwarfism”

Person with/who has Down Mongol or Mongoloid; s/he

(or Down’s) syndrome “is Downs”

Person with/who has a Learning disabled person

learning disability

Congenital disability Birth defect

continued over

31
 Brain injury Brain damage

He or she needs, uses… He or she has a problem

(e.g., narcotics), a person with…(e.g., narcotics),
with alcoholism, with a addict, junkie
drug addiction

32
Sources and further
information
General guides

Inclusive Language Guide of the University of Calgary

https://observatori382866246.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/inclusive-
language-guide-june-13-2017.pdf

University of Victoria guidelines for inclusive language (covers gender

and sex, Indigenous populations, disability, ethnicity and more)
https://www.uvic.ca/brand/story/style/inclusivity/index.
php#:~:text=Inclusive%20communication%20that%20respects%20
and,terms%20change%20as%20language%20evolves

Disability

Disability language guide – Stanford Disability Initiative

https://disability.stanford.edu/sites/g/files/sbiybj1401/f/disability-
language-guide-stanford_1.pdf

United Nations Office at Geneva Disability-inclusive Language

Guidelines
https://www.ungeneva.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/Disability-
Inclusive-Language-Guidelines.pdf

Other references

Brain Injury Network

www.braininjurynetwork.org/thesurvivorsviewpoint/politicallycorrect.html

Inclusive communication in the General Secretariat of the Council,

Council of Europe
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/35446/en_brochure-
inclusive-communication-in-the-gsc.pdf

33
World Intellectual Property Organization
34, chemin des Colombettes
P.O. Box 18
CH-1211 Geneva 20 © WIPO, 2022

Switzerland

Tel: + 41 22 338 91 11

Attribution 4.0 International
Fax: + 41 22 733 54 28 (CC BY 4.0)

For contact details of WIPO’s The CC license does not apply to

non-WIPO content in this publication.
External Offices visit:
www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/offices​ Photo: Getty Images