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Are words such as wheelchair bound, handicapped or special needs acceptable to use?

Are words such as wheelchair bound, handicapped or special needs acceptable to use?

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Asked by Eaiyorg, Last updated: Nov 09, 2024

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2 Answers

J. Alfie

J. Alfie

I Write for myself and many other clients. Blog post, Article writing and writing for ProProfs is my daily thing.

J. Alfie
J. Alfie, Content Writer, Masters in Literature, Dallas,Texas

Answered Dec 15, 2020

False,
Words such as wheelchair-bound, handicapped or special needs are not acceptable to use, and they are not recommended. It is important that you address people by their person, not by their disabilities or limitations.

Instead of using the word “wheelchair-bound”, you can say “persons who use a wheelchair.”
Instead of handicapped, you can simply say “person with a disability.” These terms are recommended by the NDA Guidelines on Consultation.

Do not use terms such as mentally handicapped, deaf, mad, suffers from, blind, cripple, spastic, disabled, or victim.

In summary, do not place your emphasis on a person’s disability first; put an emphasis on the individual first.

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John Smith

John Smith

John Smith
John Smith

Answered Sep 23, 2016

False

People-first language puts emphasis on placing the individual BEFORE the disability. Two examples are people with disabilities, not disabled people, or the manager who is blind and not the blind manager.
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