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The terms used for people with disabilities all too frequently perpetuate stereotypes and false ideas. While some words/phrases are commonly used by many, including those with disabilities, usage is likely due to habit rather than intentional meaning. However, conscious thought about what we say, and when we say it, may help to more positively reshape how we communicate about disability in society. The following is intended as suggestion, not censorship, in choosing more appropriate terms.
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*Less Appropriate
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More Appropriate
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| (the) disabled, (the) deaf, (the) blind, (the) mentally retarded | people with disabilities, deaf citizens, blind people, persons with mental retardation/a developmental disability |
| *Terms describe a group only in terms of their disabilities. Robs individuality by lumping people into one undifferentiated category. Humanizing nouns emphasize the person. (The debate over the use of handicap versus disabled has not been settled. Check to see which term individuals might prefer.) |
| Sue is an arthritic, - diabetic, - paraplegic | Sue has arthritis, - diabetes, - paralyzed, - has paralysis in her legs |
| *Terms are variations of the condition and describes someone as an object of medical care. Emphasizes the medical aspects of a condition instead of the person. |
| Bob is afflicted with, - stricken with, - suffers from, - a victim of polio, - spinal cord injury, - AIDS | Bob has polio, - has a spinal cord injury, - has AIDS |
| *Terms reflect negative and tragedy and connote pitiful helplessness, dependency, defeat. Denies other aspects of the person. Emphasizes the "heart string" or telethon-ish perspective. |
| confined to a wheelchiar, wheelchair-bound, wheel-chaired | wheelchair user, uses a wheelchair, wheelchair using |
| *Terms create a false impression: wheelchairs liberate, not confine or bind; they are mobility tools from which people transfer to sleep, sit in other chairs, drive cars, stand, etc. |
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Anita is crippled, - a cripple |
Anita has a physical disability,
Tom is unable to walk |
| *Cripple is an epithet generally offensive to people with physical disabilities (from Old English "to creep"). A second meaning of this adjective is "inferior." (Often disabled individuals will use these terms in reference to each other but for others to use them, it might be similar to a white person using the term "nigger.") |
| sightless, blind as a bat, four eyes | blind, partially sighted, vision impaired |
| *Terms are inaccurate, demeaning. Used as a put-down in most cases. |
| deaf and dumb, deaf-mute, dummy | deaf, hearing impaired, speech impaired, hard of hearing |
| *Terms implies mental incapacitation occurs with hearing loss and/or speech impairment. |
| lame, paralytic, gimp, gimpy, withered hand | walks with a cane, uses crutches, has a disabled/handicapped hand |
| *Terms are demeaning and outdated. |
| crazy, insane, psycho, nut, maniac, former mental patient | mental disability, behavior disorder, emotional disability, mentally restored |
| *Terms are outdated and stigmatizing. Not all people who have had a mental or emotional disability have it forever or to the same degree all the time. |
| retard, slow, simple-minded, idiot, Mongoloid | people with mental retardation, - who are developmentally disabled - have Downs Syndrome |
| *Terms are demeaning. Used as a put-down in most cases. |
| Sam is epileptic, Tony is CP (cerebral palsied),- spastic, Helen is LD (learning disabled), - is ADD | Sam has epilepsy, Tony has cerebral palsy (CP), Helen has a learning disability, - attention deficit disorder |
| *These phrases describe people as their disabilities. Inaccurate reference; a person is NOT a condition. |
| "special", person has "special needs" | (none is needed), accommodations are needed |
| *Term is patronizing and distancing by those with disabilities. Often used by programs providing services and support for disabled people and meant as a 'positive' alternative. Describes that which is different about ANY person as all simply have "needs." |
| physically challenged, handi-capable, inconvenienced, differently-abled | a person has a physical, sensory or mental disability |
| *To some people, these euphemisms avoid reality and rob people of dignity. Alternative words to the term "disability" are usually efforts to avoid the negative stigma ATTACHED to the word rather than seeing disability as neutral. (Cutesy-pie labels are uninformative and trivialize an important part of a person's identity. They tend to describe everyone and therefore no one.) They are not necessarily more "politically correct." |
| inspirational, courageous | acknowledge the person's abilities and individuality |
| *People with disabilities are not collectively inspirational or courageous. They are individuals who can do some things and can't do other things. Disability itself does not create a "strong" person, that strength comes from within the person. |
| "isn't it wonderful how he has overcome his/her disability?" | accept people for who they are, including that they have a disability |
| *People LIVE with a disability, they have to overcome attitudinal, social, architectural, educational, transportation and employment barriers. |
In some respects, the two terms "handicapped" and "disabled" are synonymous. Based on how the terms are used, there may be some confusion over who is handicapped and who is disabled. For example, in areas such as employment both terms may take on specific definitions. Managers may use "handicapped" to refer to those who already have a disability before they begin working. The term "disabled" may be reserved for those injured on the job.
However, relying merely on dictionary or common definitions may not be sufficient when one injects a social model perspective. For some, the term "disabled" refers to a specific functional limitation often identified through a diagnositic process. It does not imply inability to participate or contribute to society as might be implied by standard dictionary definitions. In this context, a person may have a disability that becomes a "handicap" when the social barriers found within the environment are encountered.
Vocabulary referring to people with disabilities is still debated even within the disabled community. Language and proper terminology often are dependent upon the person, group of people, or situation for which the terms are used. For example, those active in the disability arena in Michigan have preferred to use the term "handicappers" when referring to individuals with disabilities. However, there is indication that a general preference is moving towards acceptance of "disability" as most people involved in independent living and disability rights use that term as an identifying characteristic.
As a general rule, the preference is to emphasize "people..." or "a person with a disability." The person is primary and the disability secondary. "Disabled person" may be acceptable on the list of preferences as the word "disabled" is considered an adjective similar to "tall" or "brunette." Although still visible on many public signs, "handicapped" may have a less favorable connotation for many individuals within the disability rights movement. When in doubt, it is best to clearly define the meaning of "disabled" or "handicapped" when referring to specific situations or if describing a group. When interacting with an individual ask what term might be preferred if one must refer to that particular characteristic of the person.
Those who strongly identify with the group social identification may use a specific term as part of that identity, capitalizing it to connotate the identity factor. For example, those who strongly identify with the Deaf culture may consider themselves a Deaf person. Similiarly, those who have physical disabilities who understand the social identity that comes with their disability status may consider the term 'Disabled' as a part of their identity and not as a stigmatized label (as the term 'disabled' might be considered).
Other suggestions in terminology:
Disability
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