In a move aimed at fostering inclusivity and respect, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu’s Department of Information Technology has released new guidelines for state government-run websites, banning words like “elderly” and “normal.”

According to a memo by Kathryn Michener, Director of User Experience, posted on the state’s internal network, the initiative encourages the use of inclusive language across digital platforms.

The guidance document, titled “Embracing Inclusive Language,” outlines recommendations to ensure communications are respectful and empathetic. 

Ms. Michener, who prefers the pronoun “they,” said the push towards inclusivity is not about political correctness but about acknowledging and valuing diversity. The memo explicitly suggests the use of “they” as a singular pronoun to replace gender-specific references.

The guidelines suggest avoiding words traditionally tied to gender, proposing alternatives like “human-made” instead of “man-made.”

Additionally, terms such as “chairman” and “manhole” are discouraged in favor of gender-neutral expressions. 

The move extends beyond gender, addressing terms like “citizen,” revealed to be potentially exclusive of foreign tourists, and “brown bag” lunches, which could unintentionally reference discriminatory practices. The guidelines also tackle descriptions related to age, advising against terms like “elderly” and suggesting “older” or “senior” as preferable options. 

One notable directive is the caution against using “normal” to describe typical situations, as it implies that anything deviating from the norm is abnormal or inferior. Such language can be exclusionary and harmful to those not fitting societal norms, the guidelines say.

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