differently able

English

Alternative forms

differently abled

Pronunciation

Audio (US): (file)

Adjective

differently able (not comparable)

(euphemistic, often humorous or pejoratively so except India) Disabled or handicapped.
- 2022 May 24, “Is Chennai convenient for its Differently-abled citizens?”, in The Hindu‎^[3]:
  Illogical pedestrian crossings, inaccessible pavements and inconvenient public transport make it rather hostile for its differently abled citizens.

Usage notes

In India, this word is often used as a neutral term in official and formal contexts. However, it has been criticised as condescending and inaccurate.^[1]^[2]

Translations

euphemism for 'disabled'

Dutch: andersvalide (nl)
Indonesian: difabel
Italian: diversamente abile
Swedish: funktionshindrad (sv)

References

^ “In fact: Why calling India’s disabled ‘divyang’ won’t enable them”, in Indian Express‎^[1], 2016 June 1, retrieved 2021-12-22
^ “What are the right terminologies for referring to people with disabilities? – Diversity and Equal Opportunity centre”, in DEOC‎^[2], 2021 December 22 (last accessed)

[1] “In fact: Why calling India’s disabled ‘divyang’ won’t enable them”, in Indian Express‎^[1], 2016 June 1, retrieved 2021-12-22

[2] “What are the right terminologies for referring to people with disabilities? – Diversity and Equal Opportunity centre”, in DEOC‎^[2], 2021 December 22 (last accessed)

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