How to uncover the power of inclusive language Using (non) inclusive language and getting people on your website to know, like, and trust you. What do the two of those have in common, you might wonder? A lot, actually. A first visit to your website is oftentimes compared to a first date for a reason. People prefer doing business or building relations with people they know, like, and trust. Imagine upsetting your date by making a rude comment to a waiter during your first date. Or upsetting a website visitor with a phrase in your content that keeps prejudice, stigma, or erasure going. It might be the one misstep that breaks trust and brings what just got started to a grinding halt. Sadly, we all have unconscious biases, and our content might reflect those. Chances are, you have some of those biases hiding in your content. And they might be disengaging or even turning off potential customers. And did you know that the teams behind search engines like Google are becoming more and more outspoken about the need for inclusive language, too? Not being intentional about itt might cost you search traffic. If you’re able to spot (potentially) noninclusive language, on the other hand, your message is more likely to resonate with a larger group of people within your target audience. They are more likely to start knowing, liking, and trusting you. During this session, you will: Discover what inclusive language is and how everyone benefits from using it. Become aware of some of the most common misconceptions Take home some actionable tips that make being more intentional about inclusive language easy and rewarding.

1. How to uncover the power
of inclusive language
Hint: it’s all about know, like and trust

2. Yvette Sonneveld
Community manager
@yvettesonneveld on

3. I promise you will:
1. Understand what inclusive language is and how everyone
wins when we use it
2. Be aware of the most common misconceptions
3. Know how to get started making this a new and
wholesome habit (and are hopefully excited about it)
By the end of this presentation

4. What is
inclusive language?

5. Choosing alternatives
for expressions that exclude people from
marginalized groups

6. race ethnicity gender
sexual
orientation
disability
appearance
age
socioeconomic status

7. Real impact on real people

8. Words can make people feel
dehumanized, invisible or excluded

9. or they can make people feel
respected, seen, and valued

10. If you hear something often enough,
you’re likely to internalize it

11. ‘confined to a wheelchair’
vs. ‘using a wheelchair’

16. Now lets’ squash some of the
most common misconceptions

17. Misconception 1:
The advice on inclusive language never
changes

18. disabled people &
people with disabilities
people with
disabilities
handicapped
special needs

19. From “Why Person-First Language Doesn’t Always Put the Person First” on https://www.thinkinclusive.us/
Emily Ladau
“Disability is a state of being, a fact of life. It’s not a dirty word.
Furthermore, for so many people, “disabled” is so much more than a
descriptor. It is an identity and culture unto itself. It is a source of pride.
So, I am disabled. I am disabled just as much as I am a brown-haired,
brown-eyed, glasses-wearing female. It is part of me. It is part of who I
am.”

20. Misconception 2:
Inclusive language does not offend anyone
& makes everyone happy

21. Misconception 3:
You should feel bad for using non-inclusive
language

22. Choose inclusive language
& everyone wins!

23. Inclusive language
helps build a more inclusive world

24. On your website,
Inclusive language
helps improve user experience

25. In the search results
Inclusive language
might help improve your rankings

26. So how do you get started
writing more inclusively?

27. Ask & Listen

28. Understand

29. Practise

30. Where can you find out more
about inclusive language?

31. Questions?