Words create worlds: Using language as an intentional tool for inclusion

​Language is not just how we describe the world, it’s how we define who belongs in it.

​In this session, join Catarina Rivera, Dani Herrera, Molly Dennen, and Melissa Segal to explore how everyday phrases, euphemisms, and metaphors rooted in ableism often go unquestioned in the workplace. From job descriptions to hallway conversations, participants will see how language reflects and reinforces unconscious bias, and learn how to interrupt it.

​Rather than simply trading one word for another, we’ll focus on the deeper practice: how respectful, inclusive language reflects our values, and how individual behaviors—not just policies—can signal whether disabled people are truly welcomed and respected. Through real-world examples and live exercises, participants will learn to spot harmful patterns, unlearn default language habits, and leave with a more intentional and equitable approach to communication.