The Inclusive Designer's Library: 10 resources for more inclusive language

As designers, the words we choose, edit, arrange and present can influence how people understand and experience a message. Keeping up with language and terminology in a meaningful and respectful way is an ongoing process.

Take the word “stakeholder,” for example. This term can be viewed as problematic in Indigenous contexts because it may not recognize the distinct rights, relationships and roles of Indigenous Peoples. Some recommended alternatives, such as “those in the circle,” “those who care” or “interested or potentially interested parties,” can help us communicate with greater care.

Exploring alternatives like these highlights the importance of an inclusive language guide and encourages us to take accountability for our words through a different lens. By seeking new tools, resources and perspectives, we can commit to continuous learning and develop language that respects diverse communities and lived experiences.

With that in mind, let's explore some resources that can help us navigate inclusive language in our work. This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it intended to provide a definitive set of rules. It is a starting point for learning, asking better questions and recognizing language that may unintentionally exclude or stereotype others.

Inclusive language

University of Victoria

Community focus: Indigenous Peoples, sex and gender, sexuality and gender identity, mental and physical disabilities, race and ethnicity, typography and transliteration, pronunciation support

This comprehensive guide provides practical guidance for using respectful and inclusive language across Indigenous identities, gender and sexuality, disability, race and ethnicity and more. It also offers guidance on typography, transliteration and pronunciation to help accurately represent people, identities, cultures and languages.

Example: Put the person first, not the disability. “With” phrases are useful. Person with Down syndrome. Person with schizophrenia. Diagnosed with mental illness. Living with fibromyalgia.

Inclusive writing: Guidelines and resources

Government of Canada, Translation Bureau

Community focus: 2SLGBTQI+, gender identity

This Government of Canada resource provides practical guidelines and tools for writing that is respectful of a range of identity factors, including sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability. It includes guidance on gender-inclusive language, non-binary identities, pronouns, terminology and techniques for making written communication more inclusive without sacrificing clarity.

Example: When you're not certain which pronouns an individual uses in English while translating text about non-binary individuals in French, the safest approach to translating iel or other neopronouns will generally be to employ the gender-inclusive “they.” French sentence: Iel a fondé son entreprise en Nouvelle-Zélande en 1994. Inclusive translation: They founded their business in New Zealand in 1994.

Person-first and Destigmatizing Language

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Community focus: disability, health and identity

This NIH guide explains how person-first and identity-first language can help writers use respectful, destigmatizing language while recognizing that different communities may have different preferences. Understanding when to use each approach is an important tool for communicating respectfully across any demographic.

Example: Person-first or identity-first? Both “person with autism” and “autistic person” are used, and preferences can vary between individuals and communities. When possible, follow the language a person uses to describe themselves rather than assuming one approach is universally appropriate.

Glossary of Terms

The 519

Community focus: gender identity, transgender community, 2SLGBTQI+

The 519's glossary provides accessible definitions for terms related to gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender experiences and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. It is designed to build shared understanding and support more informed, respectful and inclusive communication.

Example: Inclusion: An approach that aims to reach out to and include all people, honouring the diversity and uniqueness, talent, beliefs, backgrounds, capabilities and ways of living of individuals and groups.

Affirming and Inclusive Language

Egale Canada

Community focus: gender identity, 2SLGBTQI+

This resource provides practical guidance on using affirming and inclusive language when communicating with and about 2SLGBTQI+ people. It covers pronoun use, identity, respectful terminology and ways to be a supportive ally.

Example: When it comes to inclusive language, DO say “Esteemed guests,” DON'T say “Ladies and gentlemen.”

Culturally Appropriate Language Guide

Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC)

Community focus: Indigenous Peoples

The Culturally Appropriate Language Guide from the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) is a practical resource for using respectful, inclusive and culturally safe language when communicating with Indigenous communities. It explains preferred terminology, identifies language to avoid and encourages specificity, self-identification, cultural awareness and ongoing learning.

Example: Avoid Western as a Default: When talking about health, education, or governance systems, avoid centering Western frameworks as the standard. Be open to discussing and acknowledging Indigenous knowledge systems.

Terminology in Indigenous content

Province of British Columbia

Community focus: Indigenous Peoples

This page of the Province of British Columbia's Writing Guide for Indigenous Content addresses inclusive terminology and helps writers create content that respects the identities and rights of Indigenous Peoples. It also lists outdated terms to avoid and encourages writers to check first with those they are writing about.

Example: “Stakeholder” is a common corporate term for partners which has negative connotations to many Indigenous Peoples. When land acquisition was happening, this term referred to the allotment of land to settlers. Settlers were given wooden stakes to claim their plot of land prior to any treaty or land negotiations with Indigenous Peoples. It's more appropriate to refer to Indigenous Peoples as partners rather than stakeholders. Indigenous Peoples are not stakeholders; they're Aboriginal rights holders whose rights are protected under the Constitution of Canada.

Indigenous Communications Toolkit: Connecting with Indigenous Communities

Design de Plume

Community focus: Indigenous Peoples

The Indigenous Communications Toolkit from Design de Plume provides practical guidance for communicating with Indigenous communities with greater clarity, care and cultural respect. The toolkit is intended for a range of communications, including policies, social media, marketing and everyday emails, and encourages reflection and action as part of reconciliation and allyship. It can be particularly useful for designers and communicators who want to better understand how their language and communications choices can affect Indigenous communities.

Example: Term: Spirit animal. Why it's harmful or outdated: Misuses sacred teachings from some Indigenous cultures. Say instead: Personal guide/Archetype/Role model.

Just Enough Research

Erika Hall, Mule Design, A Book Apart

Community focus: research, ethics and bias

Just Enough Research by Erika Hall, co-founder of Mule Design, provides a practical framework for making better-informed design decisions through research. While it isn't specifically an inclusive-language guide, its emphasis on questioning assumptions, recognizing bias, understanding context and gathering evidence makes it a useful companion to inclusive design practice. Hall advocates for asking the right questions and using appropriate research methods rather than relying on personal opinions or assumptions.

Example: Question assumptions: Before making decisions about how a community should be represented or addressed, identify what you actually know, what you're assuming and what you still need to learn. Research can help designers replace assumptions with evidence and perspectives from the people they are designing for.

How to Use Language to Change Gender Stereotypes

Urška Jež, TEDxDonauinselSalon

Community focus: gender equality

This TEDx talk features Urška Jež, who explores how everyday language can reinforce gender stereotypes and influence how we perceive and treat people based on gender. It encourages more conscious and inclusive language to challenge stereotypes and promote greater gender equity.

Example: Instead of “guys” (using the male gender as general when addressing a mixed or all female group of colleagues), use the terms “everybody,” “team,” “people” or “folks.”

Inclusive language isn't simply about finding the “right” replacement for a word. It's about understanding context, listening to the people and communities we communicate with, questioning our assumptions and being willing to adapt as language evolves.

This curated list reflects the perspective of the RGD's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. We hope these resources inspire you to explore new ideas, strengthen your practice and design with greater inclusion in mind. If you have resources you'd like included in future editions, we'd love to hear from you. If you're interested in helping shape future resource lists, articles and initiatives, consider joining the RGD's Diversity & Inclusion Committee and contributing to a more inclusive design community.

AI transparency note: Members of the RGD's Diversity & Inclusion Committee researched and curated the resources featured in this article. ChatGPT helped with copy editing, redrafting and spell-checking.