Gender and inclusive terminology

Use gender-neutral terms where possible, such as sales representative rather than salesman, and moderator instead of chairman.

When referring to a male or female (typically done in examples), you can use he, him, his, she, her, or hers. However, if possible:

Don’t use constructions like he/she and s/he (slashes).

Sensitive product terms

Given the recent cultural trend to replace industry terms that have roots in painful historical pasts (like slavery or war) or words that are proven to be insensitive to certain races and genders, Adobe strives to maintain high standards and replace these terms.

Writers should immediately change what we can control (product documentation, how-tos, tutorials, courses, and videos.), and be a voice in Engineering Council’s recommendations for our product interfaces. Our goal is to be clear, well understood, and inoffensive until the industry (and Adobe) adopt long-term replacements for certain terms.

The usages in the following table enable us to make content changes that accomplish this goal. Writers and developers should seek guidance from the Engineering Council.

To change sensitive product terms

Writers can change problematic terms in documentation and by lobbying product teams to adhere to these standards and suggestions.