Language can be a defining feature within any community, but it’s especially the case within the disability community. Language surrounding disability has evolved so much over time that it is not surprising when some people seem shocked that certain terms are outdated.
Language changes and evolves in the blink of an eye, and it can be hard to keep up. As a member of the disability community, I’ve heard the following terms used to describe people with disabilities: “handicapped,” “special needs,” “disabled,” and “person-first language” (i.e.
person with a disability vs. disabled person), among many others. Prior to becoming more involved in the disability community and finding my voice as an advocate, I was a big supporter of person-first
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