Handicapped or Disabled? How to Refer to People with Cerebral Palsy and Other Disabilities

Recently, I found myself embroiled in a hot debate over words used to describe people. Surprisingly, I found myself to be the offended party over the choice of words another used to describe two situations very personal to me. I say surprisingly, because I am typically the least "politically correct" person in a crowd and I have been known to go out of my way to be "politically incorrect." But, the discussion made me consider what the appropriate terms to use are when discussing people with disabilities. As the mother of a son with Cerebral Palsy, my research into this topic was interesting because I discovered a few enlightening things myself.

My "opponent" in the war of words debate believed, if I understood her correctly, that all words were perfectly good and fine but people simply choose to be offended by them. She did concede that she would not refer to someone by any word she felt might offend them and I truly believe her to be sincere. I did also fully understand the point she was attempting to communicate. I tried, and probably not all that successfully, to communicate to her that words carry certain connotations and the connotation of the perfectly fine word can be extremely hurtful. I believe that George Orwell eloquently summarized the issue by saying, "If thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought."

Words have a power all their own.

If you do not know anyone with a disability, then you might be unaware of the effect that words create for those people. People First Language seeks to educate people not only about the proper terminology for referring to people with disabilities but clearly explains why words are so important. Children with disabilities are especially vulnerable to the misunderstandings and connotations that words create. It is most important to realize that a disability is not a challenge one seeks to overcome. Kathie Snow, in her commentary on the topic of People First Language described this best by concluding:

"Words are powerful. Old and inaccurate descriptors, and the inappropriate use of these descriptors, perpetuate negative stereotypes and reinforce an incredibly powerful attitudinal barrier. And this invisible, but potent, attitudinal barrier is the greatest obstacle facing individuals who have disability diagnoses. When we describe people by their medical diagnoses, we devalue and disrespect them as individuals. Do you want to be known primarily by your psoriasis, gynecological history, the warts on your behind, or any other condition?"

The "H" word is offensive!

The term "handicapped" is so archaic it is no longer used in federal legislation. The "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990" prohibits discrimination against Americans with disabilities and does not use the words "handicapped" in any form. The word handicap should only be used to refer to a barrier which is created by the environment. By looking at the origin of the word "handicapped," where losers in an Old English bartering game were left with their "hand in their cap" and are clearly at a disadvantage, you might understand the negativity surrounding the word. The legendary origin of the term "handicapped" refers to a person with a disability being forced to beg on the street by extending their "cap in hand." This derogatory term is offensive because it perpetuates the concept that persons with disabilities are needy and incapable of taking care of themselves.

Using People First Language

People with disabilities ask for one simple courtesy. That is simply to recognize that they are people first, before their diagnosis. Too often, their diagnosis is turned into a label. An example of this would be to refer to a person with autism as "that autistic child." The only label a person with a disability needs is their own name. The concept is simple. We don't refer to a person who has cancer as "cancerous person," therefore, we don't refer to a person with a disability as a disabled person. Always remember that persons with disabilities deserve to be treated as you would treat a person without a disability.

In summary, I would like to quote Kathie Snow again as she has written so eloquently about people with disabilities and the concept of People First Language. Kathie says, "People First Language isn't about being "politically correct." It is, instead, about good manners and respect." With that, I believe she has said it all.

To read the entire People First Language commentary by Kathie Snow, click here.

Sources:

Personal Experience

Wikipedia - People First Language

People First

2004 World Health Organization Report