Ooh, good video. My disability affects only my legs.When I was little, I told my mom, "I'm not handicapped; I'm leggicapped." Handicapped isn't very descriptive, so I had to infer its meaning and make it fit! As a descriptor, disabled makes more sense! Also, I saw something promoting the idea, as you said, that where we use disabled now, we can use accessible, for things like accessible parking, accessible bathrooms, accessible entrances. I LOVE this, because it makes so much sense, and helps people who don't struggle with access understand better the needs of those who do.
Like you I've heard people don't like the term Handicap but again like you the reasons seem... to vary and not everyone minds. So I try to use other words... however the issue with language is people can use a term in different ways so some people find different words offensive. I have met about 1 person who hated the term disabled, because to them it meant "not able" when he was quite able to do things he just did them in another way. So... be kind, and use what people ask you to use around them, and be aware that sometimes in different places or with different people what is "best" will change. If someone corrects you say sorry and try to do better around that person... whatever better means. Thanks for this video it always helps when someone brings these topics and words up for discussion.
For me, disabled is the term I prefer for myself. Disabled just implies that something is wrong with me that causes my body to not be able to work correctly. Handicapped, based on my knowledge of the word, implies that some external force is degrading my abilities, like was mentioned in handicapping in horse racing. Handicapped just doesn't feel like the best possible word to describe what's wrong with me, but I've never found either offensive and I just don't understand the offense some people feel.
