{"id":30284,"date":"2023-10-25T15:39:11","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T19:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.urelles.com\/magazine\/non-classifiee\/can-we-say-person-with-a-disability-2\/"},"modified":"2025-03-25T12:47:32","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T16:47:32","slug":"can-we-say-person-with-a-disability-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.urelles.com\/en\/magazine\/can-we-say\/can-we-say-person-with-a-disability-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Can we say \u201cperson with a disability\u201d?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n

Photo from CDC<\/a> from Unsplash<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n
Welcome to \u201cCan we say?\u201d, a monthly column where URelles answers questions about inclusive language. Got a question for us? Write to info@urelles.com and we’ll get back to you. Your identity will not be revealed. <\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Read previous articles:<\/strong>
Can we say \u201cAsperger’s\u201d?<\/a>
Can we say \u201cindigenous peoples\u201d?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to start the conversation about inclusive language in your organization? URelles can help! Find out more about our training courses on various topics related to equity, diversity and inclusion. <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acronyms used
<\/strong>DP – Disabled person
PWD – Person with a disability
POMI – Person with one or more incapacities
POMFL – Person with one or more functional limitations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

****<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What terminology should we use to talk about a person with a disability?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, the terms \u201cdisability\u201d and \u201cdisabled people\u201d are relatively recent. Emerging from a medical approach to disability to embrace a social perspective, these terms have gradually replaced expressions such as \u201ccripple\u201d, \u201cinvalid\u201d or \u201cmaladjusted\u201d. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do we mean by \u201cdisabled person\u201d?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Quebec, a disabled person is defined in the Act to secure the exercise of the rights of handicapped persons<\/a> as \u201cany person who has a disability resulting in a significant and persistent incapacity and who is subject to obstacles in carrying out everyday activities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n