Inclusive Language at Omni
Inclusive Language Guide
Omni developed its Inclusive Language Guide to promote inclusive, respectful, and accessible language across our projects. It provides guidance on using language that avoids biases, fosters belonging, and respects cultural, gender, and social diversity in all forms of project communication. It also includes practical examples and alternatives to common phrases, encouraging communication with empathy and awareness of others' lived experiences.
Inclusive Data Collection Guide
Omni’s guide for inclusive data collection promotes inclusive, respectful, and accessible practices in our projects that are designed to increase respondent participation and ensure robust assessments of community demographics. It provides guidance on using language that avoids biases, fosters belonging, and respects cultural, gender, and social diversity in all forms of project communication.
Our Why
Inclusive language is a powerful tool for promoting respect, clarity, and equity. It involves using words and expressions that honor individual people and their experience by acknowledging different identities, avoiding bias, and creating a sense of belonging for all individuals.
By adopting inclusive language, organizations and individuals can:
Enhance Data Quality: When gathering data, inclusive language minimizes confusion and improves the reliability and validity of responses.
Expand Reach: Inclusive language helps ensure that communication resonates with a broader audience and encourages participation from diverse communities.
Show Respect: It acknowledges and values the experiences of individuals with diverse and intersectional identities, promoting dignity and empathy in all interactions.
Our Approach
There are four key elements to using inclusive language, in research and evaluation practice, and beyond.
Prioritize People-First Language
People-first language emphasizes the individual over their condition or identity. For example, use “person with a disability” instead of “disabled person.” However, some communities may prefer identity-first language (e.g., “Deaf person”), so it is important to remain flexible. By adapting to the preferences of the community you are engaging with you can increase trust and engagement with individuals and the broader community.
Offer Self-Identification Options
Whenever possible, do not force individuals into predefined categorization. Always try to allow individuals to describe themselves in their own terms.
For example, on surveys or forms, include an option such as “Prefer to self-describe: ______.”
Avoid Stigmatizing Language
Use accurate and respectful terms when discussing social issues. For instance, rather than referring to someone as an “addict,” use language like “individual with substance use disorder.” This reduces stigma to center the conversation on behaviors and conditions rather than labeling individuals and will continue building trust through their participation in your project or research.
Stay Open to Learning and Adapting
Language evolves with societal understanding and cultural awareness. Regularly seek out new information, remain open to feedback, and update language practices as needed.
Navigating Resistance
When others resist adopting inclusive language, we approach the situation with patience and understanding. Because language continually evolves, every individual follows their own journey of understanding. While there is no one size fits all approach to navigating this resistance, we follow some basic strategies to navigate these challenges. And we always ground our work in respect for each person’s journey while also advocating for best practices.
Engage in Dialogue
Have an open conversation, and lean in with a spirit of inquiry, to understand concerns and provide clarity around the importance of inclusive language.
Highlight Benefits
Emphasize how inclusive language creates a welcoming environment, broadens engagement, and minimizes the risk of alienating or offending others. Explain that these benefits result in greater, and more honest, participation in your research or programs and result in more robust outcomes or results.
Share the “Why”
Explain that inclusive language fosters equity and respect for all individuals.
Provide Resources and Examples
Share educational materials, success stories, and examples of effective inclusive language practices.
Lead by Example
Consistently use inclusive language in all interactions to model best practices.
By implementing these practices and promoting inclusive language, we contribute to building communities and workplaces that honor diversity, equity, and inclusion in meaningful and impactful ways.