I don't mind the word, handicapped but I find the word handicapable an oxymoron. What do you think?

Question

In terms of PC words do you the term, handicapable is a bit of an oxymoron? I mean yes you do want to point out that many of these indivisuals are capable of some things but it's almost like you are dismissing the fact that they still have their issues and in a way not addressing them. What do you think?

Answer 1

Only a handicapped person is the one who should say whether or not they have issues. Everybody has issues of some sort in their lives. And some people have issues with the handicapped.



Handicapable is, in my view, not any oxymoron. It is, however, a blatant politically correct dictate of the government to brainwash people (both the handicapped and non-) that the handicapped are capable of living in this society. Some are, and some aren't. Really depends on the handicap.



But then everybody, to a certain extent, have difficulty living in society. Some do, some don't. Really depends on the issues.



Handicapable and seventy years "young" fall into the same category. To make the "victim" more positive about their image and themselves.

Answer 2

"handicapable" - never heard of it before but I am sure it will get spread to where I live.



My opinion? This is NOT an oxymoron. It is blatantly a patronising euphemisms trying to not call spade a spade. Some people with a disability AREN'T capable - so acknowledge it! This word simply shifts back the more dignify word "disability" into the more devalued concept of "handicap" (handi-capable derived from "handi - cap")



Personally - I detest it. It is a joke and it only further devalues all the hard work people with a disability have done for decades.

Answer 3

No it isn't a oxymoron. The word handicapped came about because the perception that disabled people were beggars. Hand In Cap = Handicapped. The whole term is derogatory and needs to be scrapped.

Answer 4

Yes, I think it's a bit ridiculous and overly PC. "People with disabilities" is better, although some people think handicapped is offensive. I always thought "handicapped" referred specifically to people with physical disabilities, but I could be wrong.



Carlisle- I just read that the preferred term is "accessible toilets" not "disabled toilets." A "disabled toilet" is one that is out of order. If someone said "There's a disabled toilet in the ladies' restroom," I'd say, "Call a plumber!"

Answer 5

Yes, it is an awkward "PC" attempt to get around the word handicapped. I am an architect, and we have recently seen great contortions to replace the word handicapped with "disabled," as in "disabled parking stall" "disabled toilet stall" and so forth.



The good news, of course, is that now we are totally attuned to making provisions for those who cannot get around so easily. When the ADA laws first came in, we had a lot to learn. Now it is like second nature, and we just do ADA as a matter of course. Some of our clients resist, because it costs them more, but we are in step with it.



Progress! :)

Answer 6

I think they should decide what they want to be called. But for the record, I always thought the word "handicapable" was conjured up by someone who wasn't disabled but wanted to feel better about people who were. I think I like "differently abled" a lot better, but it's not up to me.

Answer 7

People using those terms have low esteem issues, and feel sorry for themselves. Handicapped is handicapped.



Mentally challenged, due to a low IQ, is mentally retarded.



Retarded is usually a head injury that causes some defects

relating, and dealing with memory loss and relearning capabilities. Since this disability usually has other physical

impairments that are not surgically repairable, the recovery time (if recovery capable) takes longer.

Answer 8

Yes it is an oxymoron. It's just another word to make people feel less guilty about themselves. Is like when people say "colored people", for God sake if someone is "black" he/she is black, if someone is white he/she is white .



As for me I think the word handicapable is an insult to the intelligence of handicapped people. But it's up to them if they want to be called that way.