Accessible Tourism Language

Abstract

Accessible tourism language represents how we talk about disability within tourism scholarship. It is framed by the scholarship of accessible tourism and considers the expression of terminology used in that scholarship. In a broader sense, accessible tourism language is connected to the wider discourse of disability, predominantly located within disability studies. It considers the critical nature of written and spoken language and the important consequences of language for people with disabilities, with the aim toward wider social change for a more inclusive society. Expressions of language have both positive and negative implications as a result of its ‘labelling’ consequences. Language is thus reflected in the various ways people ascribe meaning to, and identify or interact with, disability. From a negative perspective, language often takes the form of stigma and stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination. From a positive perspective, language can create a sense of identity and empowerment, and contributes to the social construction and sustainability of environments that are enabling and inclusive for people with disabilities. Language can therefore reframe otherwise negatively stigmatised and stereotyped identities (Gillovic, McIntosh, Darcy & Cockburn-Wootten, 2018).