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Acronyms used
DP – Disabled person
PWD – Person with a disability
POMI – Person with one or more incapacities
POMFL – Person with one or more functional limitations
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What terminology should we use to talk about a person with a disability?
This is a complex and nuanced subject, and we’re going to try to shed some light on it. Bear in mind, though, that we’re far from a consensus. The subject is constantly and rapidly evolving.
First of all, the terms “disability” and “disabled people” are relatively recent. Emerging from a medical approach to disability to embrace a social perspective, these terms have gradually replaced expressions such as “cripple”, “invalid” or “maladjusted”. They are now used in a variety of contexts to describe people who face challenges in their daily lives. However, despite their similarity, it is important to note that these two terms convey different identities and ideologies.
What do we mean by “disabled person”?
In Quebec, a disabled person is defined in the Act to secure the exercise of the rights of handicapped persons as “any person who has a disability resulting in a significant and persistent incapacity and who is subject to obstacles in carrying out everyday activities.”
The distinguishing characteristic of a disabled person lies in the severity and duration of his or her disability(ies). We take into account the likely obstacles they may encounter in their daily lives. Although there is no official and exhaustive categorization, these disabilities can take various forms, such as:
- Motors;
- Intellectual;
- Visual;
- Auditive;
- Communication-related;
- or associated with autism spectrum disorders or severe mental illness.
When we think of a disabled person, we often think of someone in a wheelchair or someone who is blind. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to disability.
The legal definition uses the term “disabled person” to refer to people with increased needs for support and adaptation in the face of obstacles. These may be encountered in a variety of areas, such as work, social life, school, etc. This definition was developed with a view to qualifying these individuals for social programs. The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse does not limit itself to this definition when assessing cases of discrimination, as highlighted in this article on the 14 grounds for discrimination.
“People with disabilities: the importance of the environment
Rather, the term “person with a disability” indicates that a person may have difficulty performing certain daily activities. This may mean having difficulty getting around, learning or working, due to environmental obstacles. These difficulties can vary, depending on the obstacles the person faces in his or her environment.
Let’s not forget the situational aspect of disability. Disability is not a characteristic of the person, but rather of the situation in which he or she finds him or herself.
According to the Quebec government, disability is “the result of an interaction between a person’s incapacities, activities and environment. It emphasizes the importance of acting on the person’s environment.” . The example often cited is that of the wheelchair user. If there were no stairs in the world, he or she would encounter few obstacles in getting around. Disability is thus created by the environment.
Different ideologies
The term “person with a disability” tends to be more socially accepted. This is sometimes a reaction to a perceived negative connotation associated with the term disabled, such as “weak” or “incapable” or “sick”. Not wishing to be seen as such, the term “disabled person” seems a better option for some, since it seems more detached from the value of the person.
That said, we can subscribe to this interactionist vision and still prefer to use the term “disabled person”. Some people believe that not everything is linked to the environment, and that the person has a difference or faces a limitation, even in the most accessible environment possible.
For some people, the expression “disabled person” is used to appropriate their condition. It’s a reclamation of power and status. Just as “fat person” is not an insult, neither is “disabled person”.
It is these differences in vision and ideology that explain the use of the two terms – “disabled person” and “person with a disability” – far more than the difference in definition. As a result, in everyday language, the expressions “disabled person” and “person with a disability” are used in the same way, with no real distinction as to who they refer to.
“Person with incapacities” and “person with functional limitations”.
Other terms are also used, such as “person with incapacities” or “person with functional limitations”. Here too, in common usage, there is no great distinction. These terms encompass a public as broad as that of “person with a disability”.
The term “person with a functional limitation” has no clear current definition, and is also often used interchangeably with “disabled person” or “person with a disability”, especially in the Montreal area. Organizations in this area (e.g. Ville de Montréal, AlterGo, STM, RUTA, DéPhy Montréal) have gradually adopted it, without a precise definition emerging. The term is somewhat broader than “disabled person”, as it refers to disabilities rather than their severity or permanence.
The term “person with an incapacity” includes virtually all the same people as “person with a disability”. In both cases, the disability can be temporary or permanent, mild or severe. The difference is that it is sometimes accompanied by a medical tendency due to the explicit “incapacity”.
“Living” with a disability is more criticized, because you don’t live with a disability like you do with a pet or a spouse.
“Disabled person” or “person with a disability”: a choice
Given that the terms “disabled person” and “person with a disability” (as well as other terms) can all be applied to a person with significant and persistent disabilities, the question arises as to which one to use.
As with the majority of terms used to describe marginalized people encountered in DEI, there is no consensus on this question, and we always recommend that you ask the person concerned what he or she prefers. There is no best term per se, it’s a choice.
In the same way, some people covered by the legal definition don’t necessarily feel this way, for example diabetics. Likewise, a person may not have a diagnosis and still consider themselves disabled. In fact, issues of accessibility to health services and specific pre-established criteria may mean that a person does not have an official diagnosis despite the presence of disabilities.
In short, when we use person-centered language, such as “disabled person” or “person with a disability” instead of “disabled person”, the focus is on the individual before the disability. This approach aims to recognize a person’s humanity first, suggesting that disability is an aspect of their overall identity.
No single term is universally accepted. Considering that all these terms are more or less interchangeable, with advantages and disadvantages, organizations can confidently choose the one that suits them best.
Let’s recap.
-The terms PWD, POMI, POMFL technically include more people by incorporating those with temporary and mild disabilities.
-While there is a distinction between “disabled person” and “person with a disability” (as well as the others), there is no real distinction in everyday language. So it becomes a personal choice.
-The main term to avoid is juste “disabled”, which is generally considered dehumanizing. These are people first and foremost.
-If you’re addressing people individually, it’s best to check their personal preference (disabled person, person with a disability, person with one or more functional limitations, person with limitations, person living with a disability, or none of the above). Some people even prefer to avoid general terms in favor of referring to their specific condition, such as wheelchair user, deaf person, autistic person, and so on. The relationship with disability can be complex.
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Thanks to Julie-Anne Perrault for her help in writing this article.
