differently abled
adjective chiefly North American
Disabled: we are not disabled, we are differently abled (as plural noun the differently abled) the oppression of the differently abled...
- Still, nobody expected creativity and talent to flow in a cultural festival organised exclusively for the differently abled by the District Disabled Rehabilitation Office to celebrate the World Disabled Day.
- And the gap between what constitutes being disabled, or differently abled, is artificially narrowed by the week.
- And yes, when opportunities are provided, one gets to realise why the disabled children should be called differently abled.
Usage
Differently abled was first proposed (in the 1980s) as an alternative to disabled, handicapped, etc. on the grounds that it gave a more positive message and so avoided discrimination towards people with disabilities. The term has gained little currency, however, and has been criticized as both over-euphemistic and condescending. The accepted term in general use is still disabled.