Public safety communications are often written under pressure. Tight timelines, limited information, and high stakes all play a role. In those moments, agencies rely on templates, past practice, and familiar phrasing to get critical information out quickly.

That is understandable.

It is also where outdated or unintentionally harmful language can slip in, especially when describing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, commonly referred to as IDD.

Recently, I read a law enforcement news release seeking help locating a missing adult. The release stated the individual “suffers from a developmental disability.” There was no ill intent behind the phrasing. The agency was trying to help. But the language reflected an outdated narrative that frames disability as tragedy rather than as a characteristic of a person’s life.

This is not about criticism. It is about improvement.

Public safety agencies can and should do better. Not because it is trendy or politically correct, but because inclusive language is accurate, respectful, and operationally effective.

Disability Is Not Suffering

Many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

• Live independently
• Work and volunteer
• Maintain relationships
• Contribute meaningfully to their communities

To describe someone as “suffering” simply because they have a disability is not only inaccurate. It can be insulting to individuals and families who do not view disability as something to be pitied or cured.

In strategic and emergency communications, language should inform behavior, not pass judgment.

When Should Disability Be Mentioned in a News Release?

A helpful rule of thumb for communicators is this: include disability information only when it is relevant to public safety or the public’s ability to help.

Appropriate reasons to mention IDD include situations where:

• The individual may become confused or disoriented
• The individual may have difficulty communicating
• The individual may not respond to authority figures as expected
• The individual may need additional time, patience, or calm interaction

If the information helps the public respond safely and appropriately, it belongs in the release. If it does not, it likely does not.

Shifting the Focus: From Deficits to Support Needs

Rather than framing disability as a limitation, effective public safety messaging focuses on what helps.

Less effective: “He suffers from a developmental disability and is easily confused.”

More effective: “He has a developmental disability and may become confused. Anyone who sees him is asked to contact the police rather than approach him directly.”

The second version preserves dignity, provides actionable guidance, reduces risk, and achieves the release’s operational goal.

Headlines Matter, Too

Headlines often set the emotional tone for the entire message.

Avoid: “Missing Vulnerable Adult Suffers from Developmental Disability”

Consider: “Police Seek Public’s Help Locating Missing Adult; Calm, Patient Approach Requested”

People living with IDD are not defined by disability, and neither should the message be.

Inclusive Language Builds Trust and Preparedness

Using respectful, accurate language does more than avoid offense. It:

• Builds trust with disability communities
• Encourages cooperation during emergencies
• Signals professionalism and credibility
• Reduces reputational risk for agencies
• Aligns with whole community preparedness principles

Inclusive language also strengthens emergency preparedness by ensuring individuals with disabilities and their families see themselves reflected in planning, alerts, and response guidance.

Resources Exist for Communicators

Agencies do not need to guess. Established guidance already exists, including resources from:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on whole community and disability integration
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on plain language and inclusive communication
• National Council on Disability
• Best Buddies

The key is turning guidance into muscle memory by building it into templates, checklists, and review processes before the next incident occurs.

A Timely Reminder

March is Best Buddies Month and National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Awareness Month. It is a fitting reminder that inclusion is not just about programs or policies. It is reflected in the words we choose every day.

A Final Thought

Inclusive language is not about perfection. It is about intention.

Public safety agencies have an opportunity to lead by example by communicating in ways that inform the public, protect individuals, and reflect the dignity of every member of the community.

Small changes in wording can make a meaningful difference.