شبكة المعلومات العربية التربوية

This study investigates the use of language to express disability; by parents of children with disability in Riyadh, Jeddah and two rural areas. An analysis of this theme is based upon qualitative data collected from 42 semi-structured individual and group interviews with the parents. The findings suggest that all parents have refused the terms ‘disabled’ or ‘child with a disability’, some of them gave alternative terms. Parents gave an indication about the domination of the medical model of disability through the language they used in the interviews. In the light of this study, it is recommended that the media and governmental officials have to raise awareness and spread a positive attitude towards disability in the society. Similarly the positive language towards disability from social media can play a crucial role in raising awareness. (Published abstract)