Are you differently abled

In this post our frequent guest writer, Jesse Clark, provides travel tips for those who are differently-abled. This is a topic I have thought a lot about recently and her recommendations may help ease the challenges differently-abled people might face. Check out the links included, they contain useful resources. Her bio information is below. When you’re differently abled, traveling can seem intimidating. You might be eager to explore the world, but at the same time, you may worry that once you leave home, you won’t have access to the accommodations and support you need. But today, it’s becoming easier for differently-abled travelers to travel. With resources from Plan Carefully Deciding where to go is your first task! Consider cities that have specifically taken steps to better support differently abled residents and tourists. Culture Trip states that cities like Berlin, Germany, Seattle, WA, Sydney, Australia, and Montreal, Canada Protect Your Travel Documents Everyone should pack a few key documents when they travel, especially when they go overseas. As you digitize your paper records, you can also combine different documents into a single file for convenience. Just follow these Accessible Accommodations At home, you have all the tools and features you need to maneuver around safely – but what about when you’re traveling? It can take some time to find a hotel where you can stay comfortably, but with a little bit of research, you should be able to book accommodations wher...

Word of the Week – “differently-abled” In this blog post, I will do a close examination of the word “differently-abled” and explain why you should never use this word to describe someone’s disability. * Disclosure:There are affiliate links in the following article, meaning that, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links, I will receive a small commission. Introduction To Ableist language perpetuates the inferiority of people with disabilities. At its core, it is oppressive, derogatory, and hurtful, no matter the intention behind its usage. I guarantee that you use ableist language every single day without even realizing it. It rolls off the tongue naturally because it’s hardly ever questioned. Here on As an advocate for disability rights, I was appalled when I realized how common ableist language was in my own vocabulary. Of course, like many of you, I was uneducated and unaware of the implications behind my word choice. Our systemically ableist society has allowed these words and phrases to grow in popularity for too long. It’s time for a change. I love educating others on topics of disability, I can only continue to do that with your help. If you’d like to support my intellectual labor, please consider using the button below to make a donation via Paypal. Every other week, I will be sharing a blog post that highlights one of the words from the downloadable glossary above. These posts will provide definitions, explanations, as well as alternative wor...

December 3 is observed as International Day of Disabled Persons that is being promoted by United Nations since 1992. This day aims at encouraging a better understanding about people affected by some International Day of Disabled is not confined just to physical conditions, but it also encompasses mental disabilities like autism, down syndrome to neurological problems like multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, India is far behind in providing various comfortable facilities for the disabled. Our government buildings, hospitals, public places still lack ramps, there are no specially designed restrooms for those with physical disabilities, our public transport doesn’t offer any extra support system for them during travel. A poor treatment and a negative comment can affect their self-esteem, confidence, performance at work place and push them into further If you have a loved one, a colleague or come across even a stranger with disabilities, read the following on what you could do to make their lives better. Ask Before Offering Help: Don’t assume that people with disabilities would always require some assistance in leading their lives and the first step is to treat them as equals. Understand that they know more about their needs and how to handle their day-today lives. In case, if you want to extend any support, ask first. Understand their needs and learn about specific details on how you can assist. Speak Clearly, And Listen: If you have a loved one or colleague with mental or dev...

"If you've met one person with autism, you've only met one." If you ever needed a sentence to put the word “disability” into perspective for you, that would nail it right on the head. The term “disability” is nothing short of vast and vague. If someone in your immediate family isn’t disabled, you most likely know someone who is, or your friend’s father’s cousin talks about how their cousin is disabled. “Oh yeah, I know someone with autism.” You hear it all the time, don’t you? It starts to sound a little bit blended together, doesn’t it? If you Google search the definition of “differently-abled,” the immediate result is a one-word answer: disabled. Nothing more, nothing less. One simple explanation. Back in the 1990’s, differently-abled was considered the politically correct term for individuals with a mental or physical handicap. It seems as though that word had disappeared from our vocabulary, only to resurface quite recently. As someone who lives with a sibling on the autism spectrum and experiences his daily struggles, as well as my own regarding them, let me explain to you exactly why this word holds a very special place in my heart – and why it should hold a place in yours. By context, the prefix “dis” means “negative.” Take for example, “disrespect,” or “disregard.” Therefore, by pairing the prefix “dis” with the suffix “abled,” you can easily put two and two together and come to the conclusion that, in short, disabled means can’t. I’m not here to sugar coat anythin...

Recent Examples on the Web From the earlier days of the virus, the Balkonsänger referred to those singing from their balcony to raise spirits (or irritate neighbors…), while the Einkaufshelfer describes those community minded souls who shop for the less abled or quarantined. — Duncan Madden, Forbes, 16 Apr. 2021 Born Nadia, Vicky was raised at the Red River Institute, a group home for super- abled children that's owned by a subsidiary of Vought International. — Nick Romano, EW.com, 3 June 2022 The norm that every abled person receiving cash payments should be seeking a job can also be challenged. — Michael W. Howard, Scientific American, 6 Jan. 2023 From senior citizens to an abled person curious about alternative ways to ride a bike, the program is welcoming. — Steven Aquino, Forbes, 13 May 2022 The experience is similar for the X1 Remote; the ability to speak commands or requests allows users of various disabilities (visual, motor, and/or cognitive) to use their cable interface with the same fluidity as an abled person. — Steven Aquino, Forbes, 20 May 2021 There are sick bodies and bodies with disabilities, both of which require their inhabitants to navigate different landscapes than the ones encountered by healthy or abled people. — Dana Snitzky, Longreads, 18 Sep. 2019 The criteria of the law apply equally to abled and disabled alike. — Chris Eaton, Twin Cities, 15 Sep. 2019 Things that are considered luxury amenities for abled people are often necessities for people w...

getty What’s the right way to refer to someone in a wheelchair, or a someone who can’t see, or see well, or a person who can’t hear, or hear well, someone who doesn’t speak, who has noticeable trouble understanding things, someone who is sick a lot, or always in pain, or who just seems strange or “off” in some undefinable way? The contentious debate never seems to end over what are the right and wrong words and phrases to use to discuss anything to do with disabilities and disabled people. The question resists all attempts to forge broad consensus. Disabled people, their families and friends, their allies and casual acquaintances, and their antagonists can’t agree on which words strike the right balance between accuracy, clarity, realism, and positivity. Some of us hammer away at words we find outdated and offensive. Others look around, confused, wondering when the disability words they once learned as progressive suddenly became not only passé, but provocative. Some try to use language to reshape the entire concept of disability, or redefine it out of existence somehow. Some use words to unify the diverse disability community, while others strive for specificity and ever finer distinctions between different disabilities and communities. Some work to curb the use of obviously insulting terms, while others take pride in the old adage about “sticks and stones.” Some hope to use language to lift disabled people up, while others prefer precision and linguistic elegance. We are...

Word of the Week – “differently-abled” In this blog post, I will do a close examination of the word “differently-abled” and explain why you should never use this word to describe someone’s disability. * Disclosure:There are affiliate links in the following article, meaning that, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links, I will receive a small commission. Introduction To Ableist language perpetuates the inferiority of people with disabilities. At its core, it is oppressive, derogatory, and hurtful, no matter the intention behind its usage. I guarantee that you use ableist language every single day without even realizing it. It rolls off the tongue naturally because it’s hardly ever questioned. Here on As an advocate for disability rights, I was appalled when I realized how common ableist language was in my own vocabulary. Of course, like many of you, I was uneducated and unaware of the implications behind my word choice. Our systemically ableist society has allowed these words and phrases to grow in popularity for too long. It’s time for a change. I love educating others on topics of disability, I can only continue to do that with your help. If you’d like to support my intellectual labor, please consider using the button below to make a donation via Paypal. Every other week, I will be sharing a blog post that highlights one of the words from the downloadable glossary above. These posts will provide definitions, explanations, as well as alternative wor...

In this post our frequent guest writer, Jesse Clark, provides travel tips for those who are differently-abled. This is a topic I have thought a lot about recently and her recommendations may help ease the challenges differently-abled people might face. Check out the links included, they contain useful resources. Her bio information is below. When you’re differently abled, traveling can seem intimidating. You might be eager to explore the world, but at the same time, you may worry that once you leave home, you won’t have access to the accommodations and support you need. But today, it’s becoming easier for differently-abled travelers to travel. With resources from Plan Carefully Deciding where to go is your first task! Consider cities that have specifically taken steps to better support differently abled residents and tourists. Culture Trip states that cities like Berlin, Germany, Seattle, WA, Sydney, Australia, and Montreal, Canada Protect Your Travel Documents Everyone should pack a few key documents when they travel, especially when they go overseas. As you digitize your paper records, you can also combine different documents into a single file for convenience. Just follow these Accessible Accommodations At home, you have all the tools and features you need to maneuver around safely – but what about when you’re traveling? It can take some time to find a hotel where you can stay comfortably, but with a little bit of research, you should be able to book accommodations wher...

Recent Examples on the Web From the earlier days of the virus, the Balkonsänger referred to those singing from their balcony to raise spirits (or irritate neighbors…), while the Einkaufshelfer describes those community minded souls who shop for the less abled or quarantined. — Duncan Madden, Forbes, 16 Apr. 2021 Born Nadia, Vicky was raised at the Red River Institute, a group home for super- abled children that's owned by a subsidiary of Vought International. — Nick Romano, EW.com, 3 June 2022 The norm that every abled person receiving cash payments should be seeking a job can also be challenged. — Michael W. Howard, Scientific American, 6 Jan. 2023 From senior citizens to an abled person curious about alternative ways to ride a bike, the program is welcoming. — Steven Aquino, Forbes, 13 May 2022 The experience is similar for the X1 Remote; the ability to speak commands or requests allows users of various disabilities (visual, motor, and/or cognitive) to use their cable interface with the same fluidity as an abled person. — Steven Aquino, Forbes, 20 May 2021 There are sick bodies and bodies with disabilities, both of which require their inhabitants to navigate different landscapes than the ones encountered by healthy or abled people. — Dana Snitzky, Longreads, 18 Sep. 2019 The criteria of the law apply equally to abled and disabled alike. — Chris Eaton, Twin Cities, 15 Sep. 2019 Things that are considered luxury amenities for abled people are often necessities for people w...

December 3 is observed as International Day of Disabled Persons that is being promoted by United Nations since 1992. This day aims at encouraging a better understanding about people affected by some International Day of Disabled is not confined just to physical conditions, but it also encompasses mental disabilities like autism, down syndrome to neurological problems like multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, India is far behind in providing various comfortable facilities for the disabled. Our government buildings, hospitals, public places still lack ramps, there are no specially designed restrooms for those with physical disabilities, our public transport doesn’t offer any extra support system for them during travel. A poor treatment and a negative comment can affect their self-esteem, confidence, performance at work place and push them into further If you have a loved one, a colleague or come across even a stranger with disabilities, read the following on what you could do to make their lives better. Ask Before Offering Help: Don’t assume that people with disabilities would always require some assistance in leading their lives and the first step is to treat them as equals. Understand that they know more about their needs and how to handle their day-today lives. In case, if you want to extend any support, ask first. Understand their needs and learn about specific details on how you can assist. Speak Clearly, And Listen: If you have a loved one or colleague with mental or dev...