Is the word "handicapped" offensive?

[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.

[ASTalumna06]

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.

This.

I wouldn't take offense to something being said when the person expressing themselves had no ill intentions when using such words.

I have an uncle who is mentally handicapped. And yes, that's what I say. Without going into the entire story and possibility of causes, around thirteen years old, he started having epileptic seizures. Eventually, he was having them so frequently, he had to be put on numerous medications which essentially "handicapped" him, and put him in a wheelchair. Even to call him mentally challenged or disabled seems weird to me. Ironically, as slow, and as barely talkative, and needing as much help as he does in life, he is extremely intelligent. My mom's side of the family has a tradition of playing Trivial Pursuit at Thanksgiving and Christmas. My uncle will be put on a team, and won't say much during the entire game. But when a question pops up that people don't even understand well enough to answer, he'll randomly blurt out the correct answer.

I think there are too many variations of mental and physical illnesses to make such definitions of "handicapped" and "disabled" encompass them all. And whichever word you use, I think it will eventually be looked at in a negative way.

However, I can understand the changing from "He is autistic" to "He has autism." But at the same time, I also wouldn't take offense if someone said the former.

I guess I just don't understand the extreme change from handicapped being ok to use, to it becoming extremely offensive. Even the word "retard" took centuries to be changed from a verb to a noun, and then considered offensive.

And to be completely honest, I am becoming tired of all of this PCness. Especially when people are simply following trends and using words that have been used for years, not knowing that they have apparently taken on a negative connotation.

[xomanadaxo]

^^Lol

Am I the only one who disagrees with the statement made in the article that said:

"Dictionary.com defines "handicap" as "any disadvantage that makes success more difficult." Obviously, this definition has many negative connotations. By using the word "handicapped" to describe people with a disability, we imply that they have something wrong with them"

I disagree that the definition itself has negative connotations. Personally, I think if the term "handicapped" is used only in the context of this definition, it is much less offensive than many other terms used in the past.

While the terms "handicapped" or "disabled" are by no means perfect terms, they are much better than some of the words used to describe individuals in the past. I think we are getting closer to finding more sensitive terms for these types of things, as shown by AlwaysSAI's point about saying "Johnny has autism" rather than "Johnny is autistic." Some people are okay with being defined by their disability, some want to be seen as more than it. (I use the term "disability," even though I dislike it, because that is what I have been taught is the correct term).

Honestly, I don't think the quest for PC-ness (made up word? Sorry!) will ever end. Somebody, somewhere will always be offended by pretty much everything. I think in cases like this, it's important to treat everyone, regardless of whether they are "handicapped" or not, with the same compassion and sensitivity they deserve. I agree with what many of you have already said: it's not always the word that is the problem, it's the way that word is used. In general, I feel like saying "handicapped entrance" is really not much different than saying "entrance for people with disabilities." However, I would be interested in hearing how others feel about this. If these words (or any words like them) make people feel marginalized or "put down," then it is probably time to reassess the kind of terms we are using.

So now I'm curious. Maybe some of the other GC-ers could help out: If society considers you "handicapped," is that how you see yourself? How do words like "handicapped" make you feel?