(This is not directed at you). I have neurodevelopmental and physical disabilities. Do not call me “differently abled.” I quite literally cannot do certain things. Disabled is not a bad word. It is a descriptor. It’s not my problem if you view disability as a bad thing or something that needs to be sugarcoated.

65

i don’t really care about the term, i care about the accessibility

43

In my opinion (i have ADHD) the people who started differently abled are majority not disabled themselves. I feel like differently abled came about because they think the word disabled is dirty or bad (like how the r word is perceived now). I feel like it comes from a place of unconscious ableism. Also it starts to minimize the struggles that disabled people go through. And don’t get me started on “Your disability is your superpower.” like I’m a child. It also minimizes struggles of disability.

34

“Differently abled” just tries to softens the lived experiences of disabled and stigmatizes disability

33

Disabled is a perfectly fine term. Differently abled doesn’t do justice to how severe some disabilities are.

24

“Differently abled” came from ablebodied people. I’m Disabled. It’s not a bad, shameful, or negative word.

15

I will fight anyone who calls me differently abled. It sounds so condescending

15

Lowkey, cannot run, can barely walk, can barely dress myself. That’s not differently abled, that disabled. I can’t do things that normal people can do. I struggle to breathe sometimes. I’m not different, I just can’t

12

I never thought of myself as disabled but apparently two of the things I have are considered disabilities so who knew

6

Neither. Mine is hidden (epilepsy) and I’d never ever call myself disabled or differently abled

5

What does this question mean?

1