The leading tourist board of Great Britain has told its employees to use the expression 'non-handicapped' instead of 'competent' because the last term is 'harmful' language.
VisitBritain, the Quango tourism, has proposed to use this modified expression when they are talking about people who have no disabilities in the 'Inclusive Welcome' guide.
The non-departmental public authority insisted on guides not to use 'negative' language about disabled people who 'maintain harmful stereotypes'.
Elsewhere in their new guidance booklet, the board has declared the word 'dwarf' to be left when describing those with dwarf growth, instead it suggests the expression 'someone with limited growth or short form'.
Their suggestions have left the freedom of expression champions 'surprised' and led a high -ranking lawyer to label the sign a 'caricature'.
Lord Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, told the Telegraph: 'What is the next step? “Non-blind” instead of “20:20 Vision”? “Non-deaf” instead of “perfect hearing”?
'Shall we describe Marilyn Monroe in the future as' non-oriented' instead of 'blond'?
“This Quango has literally become the caricature who invented free expression champions as I have invented Humorless awake.”
VisitBritain, the Quango tourism, has proposed to use the expression 'non-disabled' when they are talking about people who have no disabilities in his 'Inclusive Welcome' guide (file image)
Within their new 'Inclusive Welcome' guide, VisitBritain told the employees: 'Avoid the use of language that suggests that access requirements are a negative thing and encourages compassion for' suffering ',' is a victim of ',' disabled ',', ', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ' ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ' ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ',', ' ',', ',', ',', 'is invalid', “paralyzed by” or “wheelchair -bound”.
'This maintains harmful stereotypes and suggests that you know what a person thinks about his disability.
“Some people see it very much as a positive thing that has improved their lives and is therefore offended by such a language.”
If the guides are corrected for not using the right language, they are encouraged by the board to 'resist the temptation to become defensive' and 'open to education'.
The board also advises that 'positive language' is sometimes detrimental to attracting new customers, but 'can support your company from an SEO perspective'.
“It is likely that some potential customers can look for 'wheelchair -accessible lodges' or' disabled -friendly walks', for example ', it is.
Last April, VisitBritain employees were also told that they could no longer use words such as 'blind spot' or 'man -hours' because the language is not included.
Lord Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, was 'surprised' by the suggestions and called VisitBritain a 'caricature'
Instead of man -hours, the travel agency told companies that host guests from abroad to say 'person hours' to not insult anyone and suggested the word 'blacklist' replaced by 'list' and 'blind spot' by 'missed opportunity'.
Inclusive language guides have recently been produced by a number of public authorities.
In the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence Guidance published by the NHS last week, the staff was told not to call fat people 'obese', while civil servants in Noord -Ireland have previously been advised to avoid the word 'millennials'.
The Staffordshire police have also warned officers not to say 'man up', 'oap' or 'policeman' when the staff of the public and the council of Sutton were told not to ask their 'Christian' name .
MailOnline has approached VisitBritain for a response.
