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Differences Between Handicapped & Disabled

In simple English, the word "disability" refers to the inability of certain people to carry out certain tasks or movements, or pick up some kind of sensory information that people without any impairments can perform without discomfort. The term "handicapped" refers to an inability to accomplish something a person wants to do, which task can be performed by most others. The terms "handicapped" and "disabled" are sometimes used interchangeably, but this is incorrect.

  1. What is Disability?

    • The World Health Organization introduced a new definition to the term "disability" with its new international classification system, called the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF 2001). As per this system, disability is a contextual variable, and is dynamic over time and in relation to circumstances. A person may be more disabled, or less disabled based on the individual, institutional and social environments. This new definition also notes that disability can correspond to social and economic status.

    Who is a Handicap?

    • The term "handicap" generally refers to loss or lack of opportunities for a person to participate in community life, as an equal of others around him. The word "handicap" describes the shortcomings of the environment in which the person lives. It puts the focus on the community systems of communication and organization, which prevents people with any disabilities from participating in the society on equal terms.

    Differences

    • The definition of "disabled" includes those who are blind or only have partial sight; people who have learning or intellectual disabilities; people who are hearing impaired; people with mental or psychological disabilities, etc. Handicapped persons, on the other hand, are those who face environmental or attitude-related barriers which prevents them from participating in the society. A handicap is a disadvantage which prevents them from performing the role considered normal for their age, sex and culture. A person who is visually impaired, for instance, is not handicapped when he reads in Braille; nor is a person in a wheelchair handicapped when there are enough ramps and other facilities for him to make his way around.

    Connotations

    • The word "handicapped" has negative connotations. It was first used in Great Britain after the Crimean War. Many soldiers who would return home with injuries begged on the streets; the word comes from the cap they kept handy to collect donations. So the word "handicapped" when used instead of the word "disabled" has negative connotations as it implies that the person with disabilities cannot take care of his own needs.

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