Jessica PingWord of the Week – “Handicap/ped”
In this blog post, I will do a close examination of the word “handicap” and explain why you should avoid using this word in your everyday language.
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Introduction To The Ableist Language Series:
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.
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Here on The Rolling Explorer, I am going to start questioning it.
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.
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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 words and phrases to use in place of the one being examined.
Today’s word is “handicap.” Keep reading to learn why this word is inherently ableist and discover alternatives you can begin to use in its place.
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Definition of “Handicap”
Noun
1 – a circumstance that makes progress or success difficult.
2 – offensive, dated – a condition that markedly restricts a person’s ability to function physically, mentally, or socially.
3 – a disadvantage imposed on a superior competitor in sports such as golf, horse racing, and competitive sailing in order to make the chances more equal
*courtesy of Oxford Languages and Google
Why Is “Handicap” Ableist?
Similar to the last word we evaluated as part of the Ableist Language Series here on The Rolling Explorer, the word, “handicap,” has a very clear offense warning within the definition itself. But, in case that wasn’t enough, let’s talk about the other reasons you should avoid using this word.
To begin, let’s look at that first definition.
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“A circumstance that makes progress or success difficult.”
When you use “handicap” to label or identify another human being, you are saying that they are incapable of success. You automatically are ripping away their potential and their worth without giving them a chance to speak for themselves and show you who they are.
It’s a term based in negativity. Even in sport, though it’s purpose is to provide equal footing to all competitors (wish it was used to give people with disabilities equality rights and access 🙃), a handicap labels someone’s weakness.
People with disabilities are worthy human beings who are generally tired of being looked down upon simply for being different. We still have mountains of potential, but words and phrases like “handicap” hold us back physically, emotionally, and socially.
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Alternative Words To Use Instead Of “Handicap”
Disabled
- ex – My friend Lucy is handicapped.
- ex fixed – My friend Lucy is disabled.
Disabled is not a bad word, it is an identity.
Accessible
- ex – Bert uses a wheelchair to get around so he gets to park in the handicap parking space.
- ex fixed – Bert uses a wheelchair to get around so he gets to park in the accessible parking space.
When talking about any form of aid to the disability community, you should always refer to it with positivity. “Handicap” parking space not only uses an offensive word, it also diminishes the importance of the aid. Accessible parking space more properly defines the purpose of the aid.
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