WORDS

Words matter. Before we say something offensive to a person with a disability we should know what the words mean. Following  is a list of synonyms and related words to Disability and people with disabilities. Source: MacMillian Dictionary


ACCESSIBLE- an accessible place or building is suitable for use by disabled people.
ATAXIA- the loss of the ability to control the movements your body makes.
THE BLIND- people who cannot see.
CHALLENGED- unable to do particular things without difficulty because of being disabled in some way.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY- a condition that prevents someone from learning basic skills as quickly or easily as other people.
DISABILITY- a condition in which someone is not able to use a part of their bosy or brain properly, for example because of an injury.
DISABLED- someone who is disabled is unable to use part of their body or brain properly because of injury or disease.
THE DISABLED- people who are disabled. Some people consider this word offensive and prefer to use the expression "people with disabilities".
DISABLEMENT- a condition in which someone is not able to use a part of their body or brain properly because of injury or disease.
DUMB- permanently unable to speak. This word is now considered old-fashioned and offensive. The more usual word is speech impaired.
HANDICAP- a physical or mental injury or illness that is severe and permanent. This word is now considered offensive and ir is more polite to say that someone has a disability.
THE HANDICAPPED- someone who is handicapped has a permanent injury, illness or other problem that makes them unable to use their body or mind normally. The word is now considered offensive and it is more polite to say that someone is learning disabled, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or simply disabled.
IMPAIRED- if your body's ability to do something is impaired, you are not fully able to do it.
IMPAIRMENT- the fact that a part of your body is unable to do something fully.
IMPEDIMENT- a physical or psychological problem that affects how well someone can do something.
INVALID- relating to someone who is sick or injured, especially permanently.
LAME- used for describing someone who is disabled because their leg or foot is damaged. This word is now considered offensive.
LEARNING DISABILITY- a condition that affects someone's ability to speak, read, write, or organize information, even though they are able to learn and use other basic skills as quickly or easily as other people.
LEARNING-DISABLED- affected by a medical condition such as dyslexia or dyspraxia that causes difficulties with reading, spelling, and some other basic skills.
LOCKED-IN SYNDROME- a condition in which a patient is awake but cannot move or speak because almost all the muscles in the body except for the eyes are paralyzed.
MUTE- old-fashioned term for not able to speak.Someone who is not able to speak.
THE PARALYMPICS- an international sports event for people with physical disabilities that takes place every four years.
PARALYSIS- the loss of the ability to move your body or part of it, usually because of an injury or illness.
PARALYTIC- affected by paralysis.
PARALYZED- unable to move your body or part of it, usually because of an illness or injury.
PARAPLEGIC- someone who affected by paraplegia.
PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED- disabled in a way that prevents you from using part of your body properly.
QUADRIPLEGIC- someone who is quadriplegic has an illness or injury that makes them permanently unable to move their body below their neck.
RETARDED- an old-fashioned word for someone who has not developed mentally as much as most people of the same age. This word is now considered offensive.
SPECIAL EDUCATION- educational services for people with disabilities and people who have difficulty learning at the usual rate.
SPECIAL NEEDS- the particular needs of people who have physical or mental disabilities.Relating to people who have special needs, or to the things that are provided for them.
THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS- a series of international sports competitions for people who have learning disabilities.
WHEELCHAIR- a chair with large wheels that someone who cannot walk uses for moving around.