differently able

English

Alternative forms

differently abled

Pronunciation

Audio (US): (file)

Adjective

differently able (not comparable)

(euphemistic, often humorous or pejoratively so except India and Philippines) Disabled or handicapped.
- 2022 May 24, “Is Chennai convenient for its Differently-abled citizens?”, in The Hindu‎^[3]:
  Illogical pedestrian crossings, inaccessible pavements and inconvenient public transport make it rather hostile for its differently abled citizens.
- 2021, Various, “'We are Not Disabled; We are Differently-Abled': A Study on The Lived Experiences of Person with Disability in the Workplace”, in Dangal Research Journal‎^[4], volume 3, number 1:
  "We are Not Disabled; We are Differently-Abled"

Usage notes

In India and the Philippines, this word is often used as a neutral term in official and formal contexts. However, it has been criticised as condescending and inaccurate.^[1]^[2]

Translations

euphemism for 'disabled'

Dutch: andersvalide (nl)
Indonesian: difabel
Italian: diversamente abile
Swedish: funktionshindrad (sv)

References

^ “In fact: Why calling India's disabled 'divyang' won't enable them”, in Indian Express‎^[1], 1 June 2016, retrieved 22 December 2021
^ “What are the right terminologies for referring to people with disabilities? – Diversity and Equal Opportunity centre”, in DEOC‎^[2], 22 December 2021 (last accessed)

[1] “In fact: Why calling India's disabled 'divyang' won't enable them”, in Indian Express‎^[1], 1 June 2016, retrieved 22 December 2021

[2] “What are the right terminologies for referring to people with disabilities? – Diversity and Equal Opportunity centre”, in DEOC‎^[2], 22 December 2021 (last accessed)

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