Women with disabilities often discover that the social stigma of disability and inadequate care are greater barriers to health than the disability, itself. This Handbook, developed with the help and experience of women with disabilities in 42 countries, can help women with disabilities overcome barriers, improve their general health, self-esteem and ability to care for themselves, as well as increase their participation in their communities.

(http://en.hesperian.org/hhg/A_Health_Handbook_for_Women_with_Disabilities)

This is a very useful document with suggestions on what words and phrases to use and not use when talking with / about someone with a mental illness.

Eg
1. Do say – they’re a person with a mental illness
Don’t say – they are mentally ill

2. Do say – Sam sometimes kicks people when he’s hearing voices
Don’t say – Sam has challenging behaviours 

Click here for 'mhcc Recovery Oriented Language Guide'.

SOURCE: NTYAN enews

Women With Intellectual and Learning Disabilities – Sexual Violence Prevention Service (WWILD-SVP) was funded by the Department of Justice and Attorney General to develop a free resource to increase the capacity of counsellors and other professionals to work with people with intellectual disabilities. The Kit includes a book that covers areas such as: the common ‘lived experience’ of people with an intellectual disability; barriers to communication; considerations for counselling practitioners (with advice on ways to adapt practice and techniques to better work with people with intellectual disability) as well as a section for legal professionals. The kit also includes a DVD that looks closer at adapting therapeutic techniques to better suit the needs of a client with an intellectual disability.

FIND OUT MORE: If you or your service would like a copy please contact WWILD on 07 3262 9877. They are happy to post you your kit free of charge to anywhere in Queensland.