Welcome to Inclusive Language 101

What’s in a word?

The answer. Everything.

The language you use forms every relationship you have. If it is respectful and inclusive. Fraught with angst and ire.

The words you choose to communicate your message will influence the direction your daily conversations take.

You may have noticed more and more, language is evolving. Language is changing to be more inclusive to everyone.

Men’s and women’s washroom signs are changing to gender neutral ones and pronouns are being used in email signatures and on name tags.

Ableism terms are redefined to ensure the rights and well-being of people is first and foremost. People are no longer identified first by their ability status, but as a person. A person with intellectual disabilities, a person living with mental health issues or wheelchair user, ensure the person is the focus. Not their disability.

And when it comes to race, culture and ethnicity, terms that used to be used in every day conversations are no longer acceptable. Big changes have taken place in the world of sports with teams at every level rebranding their teams so they no longer profit off racial stereotypes or use offensive terms.

Corporations have also had to rebrand products to ensure there is no more cultural appropriation.

There are also countless sayings, words and terms that have been popularized over time, whose roots are traced back to racist origins and is something we should all be cognizant of in our every day conversations.

Our Inclusive Language training course teaches how using specific terms and language can reinforce negative stereotypes and perpetuate ideas about ability, race, class, age, gender and sexual orientation. And it’s not enough to try to be politically correct about what we say. Political correctness is just about trying to avoid offending someone. But if we use the correct language, words that honour someone and show respect, we are valuing that person as an individual.

It is also important to note, that we also need to be aware of the language we use when we are corresponding with people through text, email, documents and websites. All of your language might be appropriate, but your message may still be lost. Readability is extremely important. If you are using words that don’t connect with the intended recipient, your message will miss the mark.

This learning experience will delve into the history behind the language and how we may not even be aware of how what we say and the words we use, can have a negative effect on someone. Which in some cases, was not anyone’s intention.

Throughout the workshop, you will learn the origins of popular sayings, how to use more inclusive language and what you need to be aware of moving forward.

It can be overwhelming and intimidating to communicate with people if you are worried you might be offending someone with the language you use. But by educating yourself, asking questions and engaging in conversations, you are on the right track to be an inclusive communicator.

By using inclusive language, we honour, respect and value people’s identities and experiences and that creates a more inclusive world for everyone.

COURSE DETAILS

Online Single course – Two hours
1 to 20 people – $1,500
21 to 50 people – $2,000
50+ people – contact for more information

In Person course – Two hours
$2,500

Email info@authorsofinclusion.com for available dates
or if you are outside the Greater Toronto Area.