Talking about disability in English - Words to use and words not to use
*I'm not sure, if what I learned is right, but is what I understood*
First, what is disability?
Disability is a physical or mental impairment that limits a person in one or more major life activities. About 15% of the world's population live with some kind of disability. That being said, it's important for English learners know how to talk about and with them without being disrespectfull.
Acceptable words: Person with disability or disabled(it kinda feels offensive to me, should I use disabled?)
Eg: Fifteen percent of the world's population has a disability.
Unacepptable words: handicapped(I've seen this one in south park and in parking lot signs, is it disrespectfull?), cripple, special
------
Blindness and Deafness
Acceptable words: blind(people that cannot see), visually impaired, deaf(people that cannot hear), hearing impaired
ex:
a) My aunt is visually impaired
b)She is hearing impaired
----
Mobility disability
ex: Stepehn Hawking uses a wheelchair because he has a mobility disability.
Unacceptable words: deformed, lame, mained
---
Develpmentally disable, intelectual disability
ex:
a) Parents of developmentally disable kids need more support.
Unaccptable words: retarted, mentally changed
---
Non-vocal - person who is non-verbal
ex:
a) Hellen Keller was non-vocal.
Unacceptable words: muted, dumb
----
Learning disability
ex
a) Tom cruise has a learning disability.
Unacceptable words: slow, special
----
Mental illness, psychiatric disability
ex:
a) Van Gogh had a psychiatric disability.
Unacceptable words: mental, crazy, insane, lunatic
Feel free to add the words I shouldn't use too. Thanks : D
Search from various English teachers...
Corrections · 7
1
Talking about disability in English - Words to use and words not to use
*I'm not sure, if what I learned is right, but it is what I understood*First, what is a disability?
A disability is a physical or mental impairment that limits a person in one or more major life activities. About 15% of the world's population live with some kind of disability. That being said, it's important for English learners to know how to talk about and with them without being disrespectful.
Acceptable words: Person with disability or disabled (it kinda feels offensive to me, should I use disabled?) They're the same
Eg: Fifteen percent of the world's population has a disability.
Unacceptable words: handicapped (I've seen this one in south park and in parking lot signs, is it disrespectful?), cripple, special
Handicapped is not disrespectful. You should avoid using cripple, it implies that person is kind of a "half-person", so to speak. In my opinion, "special" should also be avoided. It seems diminishing, or denigrating. It's certainly not scientific at any rate.
------
Blindness and Deafness
Acceptable words: blind (people that cannot see), visually impaired, deaf(people that cannot hear), hearing impaired <--- (Correct on all of those)
ex:
a) My aunt is visually impaired
b)She is hearing impaired
----
Mobility disability
ex: Stepehn Hawking uses a wheelchair because he has a mobility disability.
Unacceptable words: deformed, lame, maimed <--- (Correct on all of those)
---
Developmentally disabled, intellectual disability
ex:
a) Parents of developmentally disable kids need more support.
Unacceptable words: retarded, mentally changed <--- (Correct on all of those) However, "mentally challenged" could be used politely, but "he/she has an intellectual disability" does sound better.
---
Non-vocal - person who is non-verbal
ex:
a) Hellen Keller was non-vocal.
Unacceptable words: muted, dumb <--- (Correct on all of those)
----
Learning disability
ex
a) Tom cruise has a learning disability.
Unacceptable words: slow, special <--- (Correct on all of those)
----
Mental illness, psychiatric disability
ex:
a) Van Gogh had a psychiatric disability.
Unacceptable words: mental, crazy, insane, lunatic <--- (DEFINITELY Correct on all of those) Lately, this list is growing and gaining the attention it deserves.
Feel free to add the words I shouldn't use too. Thanks : D
0
I think you need to remember that exist some diferences in culture besides the language. If you simply translate the word disabled to portuguese, gonna sound a little akward.
0
Thank you very much guys. : D
0
Agree with Roger about using disability and avoid using "handicapped". The latter is an archaic reference to people with disabilities begging ("hand in cap") so it has a negative connotation that they cannot lead productive lives and contribute to society.
0
"Disability" is currently a socially acceptable term in the US. Yet, things change. . .
For physical brain issues, I would say "mental illness" is a bit more acceptable. But not if it is temporary or it is just a learning issue. For example, someone with dyslexia would not have a "mental illness", nor would someone with temporary depression.
Someone who is bipolar or has dementia could be said to have a mental illness.
Also, never use "the" with a disability: e.g. this class is for blind people. NOT, this classroom is for the blind people.
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