Handicapped

Handicapped is a term that refers to individuals who have certain limitations or restrictions due to physical or mental conditions. These conditions can affect a person's mobility, ability to learn, or ability to perform certain tasks. The term is often used to describe people with disabilities, but it is important to note that not all people with disabilities consider themselves to be handicapped.

Definition

The term handicapped is defined as having a condition that markedly restricts one's ability to function physically, mentally, or socially. This can include conditions such as physical disabilities, mental disabilities, learning disabilities, and chronic illnesses.

History

The term handicapped has been used since the early 20th century to describe people with disabilities. However, its usage has declined in recent years due to the preference for more positive and empowering language, such as "person with a disability" or "differently abled".

Types of Handicaps

There are many different types of handicaps, including:

• Physical handicaps: These are conditions that affect a person's mobility or physical functioning. Examples include paralysis, amputation, and cerebral palsy.

• Mental handicaps: These are conditions that affect a person's cognitive functioning. Examples include intellectual disability, dementia, and autism.

• Learning handicaps: These are conditions that affect a person's ability to learn. Examples include dyslexia, ADHD, and dyscalculia.

• Sensory handicaps: These are conditions that affect a person's senses. Examples include blindness, deafness, and sensory processing disorder.

Rights and Protections

People who are handicapped have certain rights and protections under the law. In many countries, it is illegal to discriminate against someone because of their handicap. There are also laws in place to ensure that people with handicaps have equal access to public facilities, employment, and services.

See Also

• Disability rights
• Accessibility
• Assistive technology

References

Handicapped Resources
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