Guide >
Glossary
- Ableism
For the purpose of this guide, we use ‘ableism’ as a catch-all term that can mean both discrimination in favour of non-disabled people and discrimination against disabled people.
However, it’s important to note that for some people there’s a distinction between ‘ableism’ and ‘disablism’, where ableism means: ‘discrimination in favour of non-disabled people’, and disablism means: ‘discrimination against disabled people.’
- Autistic
- Autistic people’s brains work differently to those commonly described as ‘neurotypical’ or ‘NT’ (people who are not neurodivergent) or ‘allistic’ (not autistic). Because the world is built for allistic people, autistic people can sometimes struggle with things like communication and over-stimulating environments. Some feel that no two people’s brains work the same across a spectrum of neurotype, and this label simply provides a useful term for certain common traits.
- BSL
- British Sign Language
- Chronic Illness
- defined broadly as illness that lasts one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities or daily living or both.
- Global Majority
- Black, indigenous, and people of colour represent over 80% of the world’s population. This wording highlights the inaccuracy of the often-used term ‘minority’ and can be empowering. ‘Global Majority’ decentres whiteness, making it clear that white people are not the majority, and encompasses a wider range of people than ‘Black people and People of Colour’. We have also used ‘People who experience racism’ for similar reasons. (We made this decision through a discussion with our disabled consultants who are people of the Global Majority).
- ‘Jazz Hands’
- Jazz Hands is the term often applied to applauding in sign language, which is used by deaf people to express appreciation (though the arms are vertical, not out to the sides like in jazz dancing).
- MCAS
- Mast Cell Activation Syndrome is a condition in which the mast cells in your body release too much of a substance that causes allergy symptoms. It can be triggered by things such as fragrances and food particles and can have painful symptoms or lead to anaphylaxis.
- Neurodivergent
- Neurodivergent (ND) means anyone who isn’t neurotypical and can include: autism, dyscalculia, dyslexia, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), people with brain injuries, and people who are mentally ill.
- Stim
- Stim is short for ‘self-stimulation’, which usually involves repetitive movements that soothe, such as hand-flapping. Stim toys can be used, such as fidget-spinners or clickers.