The protection industry needs to rethink its use of 'impaired lives'

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Home » Guides & News » The protection insurance industry needs to rethink its use of ‘impaired lives’

Cura Managing Director, Alan Knowles, writes for COVER Magazine on why the protection industry needs to rethink its use of ‘impaired lives’ to describe people and move towards more inclusive language.

“Let’s take a look at the phrase ‘impaired life’.

How would you like it if someone told you that you were impaired, or that you were an ‘impaired life’? More so, I wonder how you would feel if those words came from a finance professional that you trusted to give you advice?

The word impaired is defined as “damaged or not functioning normally.” So, is it appropriate to use this to describe a person? I wonder if we called our customers “damaged lives” how everyone would feel?

There is nothing wrong with saying somebody has an impairment, for example a ‘hearing impairment’ or a ‘speech impairment’, but to refer to a person as impaired is not only disrespectful, it’s offensive.”

To read the article in full click here.

Categories: Alan Knowles

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The protection insurance industry needs to rethink its use of ‘impaired lives’

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