Why the words you choose really matter, with Ettie Bailey-King

Today’s guest, Ettie Bailey-King, is an inclusive and accessible communication educator who’s on a mission to change the way we think about language. And you know me, I love a good ramble down a rabbit hole into the words we use every day.

Ettie teaches people to understand and use inclusive language (how to talk more accurately and inclusively about age, class, disability, gender, race, sexuality and more) and to communicate accessibly in ways that work better for everybody, whether they’re ADHD, autistic, blind, d/Deaf, dyslexic, tired or just distracted.

In our conversation, she explains how even the tiniest word choices can shape how we see someone’s intelligence, authority, or right to be taken seriously. She also challenges the myth that accessibility is some technical, expensive add-on, when in reality many of the most powerful changes are simple, free, and available to everyone.

We dig into:

• The biggest misconceptions about inclusive language
• The fear of “getting it wrong” (and why that’s normal)
• Why there’s no such thing as one perfect way to do things
• How “professionalism” is often used to police emotions, stifle individuality, and reinforce systemic inequality

If you’ve ever worried about saying the wrong thing, or wondered what inclusive and accessible communication really looks like in practice, especially when you’re running your own business, this one’s for you. Expect plenty of practical tools and a healthy rant along the way too.

So find your notebook, get ready to work on the way that you communicate, and listen to Ettie get on her soapbox.

Ettie's Links:

Bold Type will be running again in September. It's a 12-week programme that dives deep into all things inclusive language and accessible communication.

Subscribe to Fighting Talk on Substack
Connect with Ettie on LinkedIn
Follow Ettie on Instagram

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