Several years ago, I collected phrases that had a certain ring to them. They would help remind me of the important aspects of life, such as not offending someone by using the wrong words. I used to write these friendly phrases on index cards and carry them with me. Every so often I would pull them out and review them.

Two of my favorite phrases were: "Words are as fragile as eggs; once broken they're very hard to repair," and, "Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it's very hard to get back in."

These phrases apply ever so precisely to terms used to describe people with disabilities. Personal trainers, fitness professionals, and many others in the industry are still using terminology that is offensive to people with disabilities. For example, referring to a member as 'wheelchair-confined' or 'wheelchair-bound' is not a good way to start the relationship.

Thinking of someone as 'physically challenged' or having 'special needs' is also offensive. Why think of anyone as 'special'? Would you like to be labeled as the personal trainer with 'special needs' by one of your former professors because you had trouble computing body mass index? How would you like to be described by your boss as 'computationally challenged'? Who cares! The important thing is to understand what adaptations you need to overcome any limitations in your performance. Leave the word "special" to loved ones and dear friends, and "challenged" to those trying to climb Mount Everest. The rest of us are just trying to make it in a world full of discrimination and bias.

Read the entire column at http://www.ncpad.org/194/1373/2003-06~Issue~~Personal~Trainers~Must~Select~Their~Words~
Wisely~When~Training~Clients~with~Disabilities.