🎧 Listen to article read by Nicoletta:
The words we use tell and the way we see the world.
To say “disabled” it may seem a powders or politically correct. And yet, it is a term that carries with it misunderstandings, inaccuracies, and a distorted idea of inclusion.
📍 Where he was born “differently able”?
L’expression began to spread in Italy in the ’90s, inspired by the american version of “differently abled”, often adopted in education or journalism. The intent was to “sweeten” the term “disabled”, considered hard or negative.
But replace a word is not enough, if you are not it also changes the culture who is behind it. “Disabled” sounds rassicurantand it is a fuorviante.
đźš« Because it is a term to avoid
- Create distanceemphasizing a perceived “diversity” that should be accepted as part of humanity.
- Is imprecisor, because all the people have different skills: it has no sense to highlight it, only when it comes to disabilities.
- Is paternalistic, because it tends to deny the real existence of barriers and limitations, turning it into a generic “be different”.
- It is not recognized in official documents, nor in the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, nor in the Italian legislation.
âś… How to say (and write) correctly
đź“Ś The most the correct, respectful and recognized at the international level is:
> The person with the disability
Because:
Puts the focus on the the person, not the condition.
Recognize the disability as the result of the interaction between the person and the environmental and cultural barriers.
Evita or labels of euphemisms that confuse or minimize.
🔍 Concrete examples
| ❌ Evita | ✅ Usa |
| “A skillful participated in the competition” | “A person with a disability participated in the competition” |
| “Agevolazioni per i diversamente abili” | “Facilities for people with disabilities.” |
| The inclusion of the differently-abled to school” | “Inclusion of persons with disabilities” |
đź’¬ Words matter
Choose a the correct language it is not only a formal question: is an act of political and cultural.
Talk about “people with disabilities” means recognizing the rights, needs, identity, and dignity of millions of citizens.
Avoid words that seem to gentiles, but hiding a culture of exclusion.
đź“š Useful references
Guidelines for inclusive language – European Union Agency for fundamental rights
Guidelines RAI 2024 for the communication disability
