Document name Appropriate CEO Approved Language for Work Category Work Practice Version 6 Approval date Implementation date Review date

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to ensure all Identitywa workers are aware of and use appropriate language when performing their role at Identitywa.

This policy is for all Identitywa workers and participants to provide guidance for the: • Use of consistent terminology throughout the organisation. • Use of language that empowers participants. • Development of a language culture that puts participants first. • Workers to consider impacts from the language they use.

All workers will ensure each participant is supported in decision making, including the timely provision of information using the language, mode of communication and terms the participant is most likely to understand. This includes participating in the development of Support Plans, understanding the Service Agreement, providing feedback or requesting an advocate.

Participants are given sufficient time to consider and review their options and seek advice if required, at any stage of support provision, including assessment, planning, service provision, review and exit.

Note: Using language that describes participants in a disempowering, discriminatory, degrading or offensive manner is unacceptable at Identitywa.

Abbreviations should only be used if it is in a context that a reader will understand. Using the full term may be more appropriate for those who may be unaware of an abbreviation’s meaning.

Acronyms are utilised across all organisational levels of Identitywa. Standard use of acronyms includes using the whole word initially, and the acronym for the remainder of the document. Such as: National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Avoid terms that highlight emotion, instead use language that is neutral and provide explanations in full.

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Plain English is written in terms that are clear and concise.

Jargon is language for a specific group, for example, a profession, and slang words are informal substitutions. Jargon and slang should not be used for a broad audience, who many not understand their meaning or context.

Tone in writing may affect how the message is perceived. Tone should be appropriate to the audience.

Easy English is an aid to assist people with low English literacy. This may include people with learning difficulties or those from a culturally or linguistically diverse background.

Information in Easy English is presented with simple key words, short sentences and pictures to relay information. Identitywa will ensure important documents (including key policies) are made available in Easy English versions.

AAC may include signing, gestures, as well as aided techniques ranging from picture charts to use of computer technology. AAC is a way to help someone understand as well as a way for them to express themselves, and supplements speech and writing.

NDIS participants and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, can access interpreter services via TIS National (information available from NDIS here).

Identitywa will work with participants and families to engage with translators and interpreters in their chosen language.

Australian sign language () is the majority sign language of the Australian Deaf community. Identitywa will work with participants and families to engage with Auslan translators and interpreters when required.

Documents can be printed in large print at the request of participants or families.

Documents can be translated to Braile at the request of participants or families.

A screen reader is a software application that enables people with severe visual impairments to use a computer. It is also used by some people with learning disabilities who have difficulty reading. Identitywa’s website is accessible including for people using assistive technologies.

Australian Aboriginal English is a common language used by Indigenous peoples and is a dialect of English. The second most common language is Australian Kriol, which draws largely on the

WP-F-20 V6 for vocabulary but has features of an Indigenous language.

Note: If a participant or family member/ carer prefers a different term when communicating, the terms they specify should be used.

 Participant Client/People we support Participant we support. Resident Service Recipient Individual/individual we support Shared Living Shared Accommodation Group home Shared housing

Children’s Respite house Respite Accommodation Adult Respite house Having a Break (accommodation) Out-of home support In-home support Residential support Family Support network Define relationship to person: Person’s people / relative Parents / Sibling / Grandmother Significant Other Husband or Wife / Partner Guardian/ Nominee Aboriginal Australian Native Indigenous Australian Aborigines Aboriginal Australian person/ people The Aboriginals

Torres Strait Islander people/ person Islander The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) Non-English speaking Specific culture Eg: Italian / Malaysian Person with disability Disabled/ the disabled Person living with disability Victim of/ suffers from Person with (specific disability) Eg: Person with autism Autistic Person with epilepsy Epileptic Person with a physical disability Physically challenged Person with (specific disorder) Eg: Cripple Person with cerebral palsy Invalid Spastic Handicapped Person with an intellectual disability Mentally disabled Person with (specific disability) Eg: Intellectually challenged Person with Down syndrome Down’s Define communication ability Non-verbal Eg: Communicates using (specific aids / systems) Cannot speak e.g. writes messages, computerised system

WP-F-20 V6 Person with a sensory disability The blind Person with (specific disability), Blind people Eg: The deaf Person with a hearing/ vision impairment Person who is deaf Deaf Community

Person with psychosocial disability Mentally unstable/ mental

Eg Person with schizophrenia Schizophrenic

Mental Illness Lunatic

Psychiatric Institution Mad The mentally ill A person suffering from… Mental Institution/ mental hospital

Accessible toilet Disabled toilet Accessible parking space Disabled parking space Accessible entry Person who uses a wheelchair Confined to wheelchair Wheelchair bound Person without a disability Normal Non-disabled Worker Care giver (US and Canada) Specific role, for example: Nurse, HR Officer Carer Employee Staff (internal use only) Supervisor / Manager Boss Specific role, for example: Superior Team Leader / Area Manager Partner organisations and agencies Service Providers Stakeholders Other like-minded agencies

They or gender-neutral terms His/Him, Her/She

All documentation contains inclusive language. Information relating to participants and families is provided in the preferred format when requested. Documents are reviewed regularly and updated to contemporary language, including Identitywa’s policies and procedures.

Participant A person supported by Identitywa, such as a client, resident or other recipient of services

Worker A person who carries out work in any capacity for a person conducting a business, including work as: • an employee • a contractor or sub-contractor/sole trader • an employee of a contractor or sub-contractor or sole trader • a student, trainee, apprentice or volunteer.

WP-F-20 V6 All our policies and procedures are measured against the NDIS Practice Standards. Participants and their families are supported appropriately, and to their individual needs and circumstances, by Identitywa staff.

Equal Opportunity Act 1984 Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 Racial Discrimination Act 1975 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018 NDIS (Quality Indicators) Guidelines 2018 NDIS Code of Conduct National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 NDIS Practice Standards (2020)

Anti-discrimination and Harassment Policy & Procedure Identitywa Code of Conduct Person-Centred Approach Policy Identitywa Branding Guide

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) The WCAG documents explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities Resources for improving accessibility (Adobe) NDIS information in languages other than English (includes Auslan) Appropriate Terminology, Indigenous Australian Peoples PWD - Words to Describe People with Disability

Please contact the Quality Team if you have any questions regarding policies, procedures and/or review details. If you would like to be involved in our policy development program, call (08) 9474 3303.

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