Is the word "handicapped" offensive?

[AlwaysSAI]

I guess I'll be going at this from two sides.

I was born with a handicap and have lived out my life that way. It's no longer terribly noticeable because I had numerous surgeries and very intensive therapy and interventions to combat it when I was younger. I wore AFOs (aka-forrest gump shoes) until I was in 7th grade and refused.

The word handicapped doesn't bother me, but I can see and understand why it would bother someone with a more obvious exceptionality. The negative connotation and stigma that has become the word handicapped is what makes it offensive. Not the word or use of the word itself.

Now, as a special education teacher. Terminology has changed to become more "person centered". To call someone handicapped, disabled, or special is not something that is smiled upon in the SPED profession. An example of this is: Instead of saying, "Johnny is autistic" you would say "Johnny has autism". As it was stated in the excerpt--a person is not defined by their exceptionality. Their exceptionality is just another trait they have. And, if you noticed--I don't use the word "disability", instead "exceptionality". The word disability implies that there is something someone can't do. Most times, it's not that these people CAN'T do it. They just do it a different way than most of the people around them would.

I'm not sure if that makes any sense at all, but there you have it.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

I guess I'll be going at this from two sides.

I was born with a handicap and have lived out my life that way. It's no longer terribly noticeable because I had numerous surgeries and very intensive therapy and interventions to combat it when I was younger. I wore AFOs (aka-forrest gump shoes) until I was in 7th grade and refused.

The word handicapped doesn't bother me, but I can see and understand why it would bother someone with a more obvious exceptionality. The negative connotation and stigma that has become the word handicapped is what makes it offensive. Not the word or use of the word itself.

Now, as a special education teacher. Terminology has changed to become more "person centered". To call someone handicapped, disabled, or special is not something that is smiled upon in the SPED profession. An example of this is: Instead of saying, "Johnny is autistic" you would say "Johnny has autism". As it was stated in the excerpt--a person is not defined by their exceptionality. Their exceptionality is just another trait they have. And, if you noticed--I don't use the word "disability", instead "exceptionality". The word disability implies that there is something someone can't do. Most times, it's not that these people CAN'T do it. They just do it a different way than most of the people around them would.

I'm not sure if that makes any sense at all, but there you have it.

That's a nice explanation. It puts the patient as the more important of the two factors. What I found interesting in the article is the statement that people with disabilities don't have anything "wrong" with them and that "They see their disabilities as attributes or personal traits, not as something negative that needs to be eliminated." Medically, they DO have something "wrong" with them, and except for the militant deaf population, I doubt there are many in the handicapped population (hard to lump them all since it includes so many people with so many varying issues and diagnoses) who would turn down an opportunity to get rid of their medical problems and lead a "normal" life.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I think it is just a case of overly PCness.

This.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

Now, as a special education teacher. Terminology has changed to become more "person centered". To call someone handicapped, disabled, or special is not something that is smiled upon in the SPED profession. An example of this is: Instead of saying, "Johnny is autistic" you would say "Johnny has autism". As it was stated in the excerpt--a person is not defined by their exceptionality. Their exceptionality is just another trait they have. And, if you noticed--I don't use the word "disability", instead "exceptionality". The word disability implies that there is something someone can't do. Most times, it's not that these people CAN'T do it. They just do it a different way than most of the people around them would.

The "person-centric" change is a good one, and one that is simple and easy to implement - in language studies, it's much more effective language too, for what you're trying to accomplish with the descriptor. It's win/win.

However, use of terms like "exceptionality" is the opposite, in my mind - it's shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic in its truest form. There is nothing innate about the word "disability" or "handicap" or whatever that gives them connotation beyond their denotation - it's not an etymological property. It's a property of the way society at large views people who have a [exceptionality/disability/problem/challenge/whatever]. By changing the word, you're simply putting that word to the test next, once it becomes in heavy use - think "retarded" going to "mentally handicapped" going to "challenged" going to "special" and how each still carries stigma with it.

Is it really an improvement on the whole, or a temporary fix until language catches up? It seems much more the latter, and that's (not coincidentally) why I don't think "handicapped" should be viewed as offensive. In fact, it could be argued that all of these attempts to create a new, specialized, non-offensive language for various afflictions, maladies, lifestyles and challenges serves only to separate them more from "everybody else."

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

The "person-centric" change is a good one, and one that is simple and easy to implement - in language studies, it's much more effective language too, for what you're trying to accomplish with the descriptor. It's win/win.

This.

My grad program deals with disabilities and mental health conditions on some level, and this is the type pf language that we are expected to use (both in discussion and in written communications).

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

A lot of it I think also has to do with the intent people have when using these terms as well. There are other words to describe various type of people that can be used either way.

I agree. And, I see a big difference between the terms "handicapped" and "disabled". To me, a handicap is an obstacle, disabled is unable to function anymore (such as .. no longer able to work, on Social Security Disability because of it).

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

This.

My grad program deals with disabilities and mental health conditions on some level, and this is the type pf language that we are expected to use (both in discussion and in written communications).

We were always encouraged to do this, even when I was in OT school 25 years ago. (OMG! 25 years ago!!!!!!!!!!!) That said, we, as a society, tend to do this with everything. We don't "search Google", we "Google". We aren't "of Italian heritage", we "are Italian".

In some ways, I do understand what they are saying because of my Crohn's Disease. When I was first diagnosed, I felt like the Crohn's defined who I am. I was walking Crohn's Disease. It took a few years to start feeling like I am a person with Crohn's Disease and that it doesn't define me. This was an INTERNAL struggle. After I had surgery and was on maintenance meds, I got SO angry that I still had to go for regular blood work and get B12 supplements for the rest of my life because it added to feeling like the disease defined me. I imagine that everybody with a handicap, challenge, disability or serious illness feels that way at some point and the terminology would grate on you when you're in that place.

[AlwaysSAI]

Originally Posted by AGDee

This was an INTERNAL struggle. After I had surgery and was on maintenance meds, I got SO angry that I still had to go for regular blood work and get B12 supplements for the rest of my life because it added to feeling like the disease defined me. I imagine that everybody with a handicap, challenge, disability or serious illness feels that way at some point and the terminology would grate on you when you're in that place.

You just described how I feel every time I walk onto UNC campus for an appt with the neurologist, physiatrist, and/or orthopedic surgeon.

(speaking of, I'm due for an appt soon.....ugh)

[honeychile]

Interesting discussion. So... what should be done about golfers?

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by honeychile

Interesting discussion. So... what should be done about golfers?

I almost brought up golfers! Don't bowlers get a handicap too?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

The "person-centric" change is a good one, and one that is simple and easy to implement - in language studies, it's much more effective language too, for what you're trying to accomplish with the descriptor. It's win/win.

However, use of terms like "exceptionality" is the opposite, in my mind - it's shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic in its truest form. . . .

Co-sign on everything you said.

[33girl]

Honestly, just in a pure word dissection sense, I personally think disabled is more offensive than handicapped. "Dis" has negative connotations in any word it's attached to - that's a pretty basic thing that anyone picks up on, and I'm guessing someone just learning English would agree.

Or maybe we should be saying "differently abled" or "handi-capable." Those were around when my mom was still living and if anyone had actually used them on her, she would have probably said (paraphrasing) "I'm not differently abled, you idiot - I'm in a @#$%ing wheelchair."

[xomanadaxo]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Or maybe we should be saying "differently abled" or "handi-capable." Those were around when my mom was still living and if anyone had actually used them on her, she would have probably said (paraphrasing) "I'm not differently abled, you idiot - I'm in a @#$%ing wheelchair."

I'm pretty sure this is my favorite quote for the day. Kudos to your mom, 33girl, sounds like she had a lot of spunk!

[kddani]

Not related to "handicapped" per se, but there is someone seeking to get a law passed to remove "mentally retarded" from the federal lexicon:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/rosas-l...ory?id=9109319