Politically correct term for amputee. Amputation Terms AK – Would relate to an Above Knee Amputee (R or L is often added to ambulation: The action of walking or moving. Example: Do say, “a person with a disability” and do NOT say, “a disabled person. According to eHow. The term was replaced by the trademarked name "Sabolich Socket" do to internal conflicts within the prosthetic industry that prohibited trade-marking CAT/CAM in the United Sates. The move toward equity-focused language is not about being politically correct, Dr. " [1] However In the UK, for instance, they prefer the phrase “disabled people”. Disabled refers to what barriers have been placed in their way due to the physical environment: steps instead of ramps, no Braille menus in restaurants etc. Learn more. Amputees use a variety of words to describe their residual limbs, which is the technical term for the part of an arm or leg that remains after amputation. Throughout this page, we’ll unpack why certain terms are used and take a deeper look inside the debate on disability terminology. People who have undergone an amputation are commonly referred to as “amputees,” but the term may be offensive and often is not used correctly. They don’t shift and change just to mess up nervous non-disabled people. Use of the following terms and phrases is correct at the time of writing: What does it mean? Impairment - the functional damage Disability - the restriction of normal activities Handicap - the resulting social disadvantage What do we say? By using politically correct language, we can create a more inclusive society where everyone feels valued and respected. 7. Here’s some of the common words and abbreviations you might see or hear. When speaking to or about someone with a disability, it’s important to make note of which terminology is offensive, outdated & inappropriate. ” Euphemism or Patronizing language is overly politically correct or nice language and should be avoided. Offensive Terms and Alternatives Person-First and Identity-First Language Person-first language puts the person first such as “person with a disability”. Example: Do NOT say, “differently abled” or “he/she is challenged. Use of the following terms and phrases is correct at the time of writing: What does it mean? Impairment - the functional damage Disability - the restriction of normal activities Handicap - the resulting social disadvantage What do we say? It's funny that the ones with limbs are coming up with these new politically correct terms. [citation needed] The concept may have started as a cynical play on existing rule sheets, written for audiences without a Terms like differently-abled, challenged, and handi-capable are often considered condescending. ” Learn more about the AMA Center for Health Equity and the AMA’s strategic plan to embed racial justice and advance health equity. “Using this language changes the way you think, and it can save someone’s life. Amelia can sometimes be caused by environmental or genetic factors. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 8. for what it's worth, the war amps, a prominent canadian charity that helps amputees, especially kids, uses the blanket term amputees most of the time, but also uses phrasing such as "born missing a limb or have lost a limb due to an accident or medical causes". Includes definitions of identity-first and person-first language and suggested further reading. Synopsis Language Basics Person First Language is recommended when referring to a person with a disability. Even the term “disability” is not universally accepted. Sep 30, 2020 · The rules and implications of disability language are always evolving. Society views the term "disabled" as a politically correct way of saying "handicapped. They will tell you the correct term is "disabled people". Why? Because the word disabled and disability refer to how society treats them, not their impairment, which is a medical matter. Any questions or new terms to share with us? We’d love to hear from you. The following is a list of preferred, politically correct terms for students with disabilities: In the meantime, the best thing for all of us, disabled or not, is to follow these kinds of basic guidelines, listen to disabled people, and relax a little. In the UK, for instance, they prefer the phrase “disabled people”. Amputation/amputee Background: Amputation refers to the removal of a bodily extremity, usually during a surgical operation, for a variety of reasons, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Understand the distinctions between "amputee" and other sensitive language. Historicallly, individuals with these skin findings were stigmatized to be racially inferior; term originated with the incorrect belief that it was most common in Mongolian populations (1,2). By shying away from mentioning disability, we may reinforce the notion that disability is something of which to be ashamed. " If you want to be politically correct in your language and are not interested in the subtle difference between these two terms, use "disabled. CAPP: Body-powered device named for the Child Amputee Prosthetics Project at UCLA where it was designed to promote gross motor functioning and early grasp. ” Open dialogue is Disability etiquette is a set of guidelines dealing specifically with how to approach a person with a disability. ” Using respectful and politically correct language when referring to people with disabilities is an important step towards building an inclusive society. Ableism: Discrimination and social prejudice against disabled people. Whenever it is possible, ask each person how they identify and remember their preference. 7 terms to change medicine’s Beware of euphemisms Beware of euphemisms ‘Nice’ terms such as intellectually challenged, differently abled, physically challenged are a denial of reality, and are seen as ‘overly’ politically correct and false by many people with disability. There is no consensus on when this phrase first came into use, although it most likely grew out of the Disability Rights Movement that began in the early 1970s. amelia: Medical term for the congenital absence or partial absence of one or more limbs at birth. . For lower extremity amputees, rehabilitation is primarily concerned with helping the patient achieve proper gait and/or ambulation. Examples of offensive language include freak, retard, lame, imbecile, vegetable, cripple Dressing Trees: A dressing tree, seen below is a term that indicates a system of hooks and pegs that can help people with an upper limb difference, usually those with a bilateral limb difference, put on and take off, or don and doff, their prostheses without the help of others. It is important to understand which terms are offensive, outdated or inappropriate when speaking to or about someone with a disability. Established 1948 ACA - Amputee Coalition of America: National organization primarily funded by the Center on Disease Control and advertising from the prosthetic industry to provide information and advocacy for amputees. What does that mean? If you’re new to the amputee world, it can be daunting trying to keep up with all the ‘lingo’. Fair said. Guidance for referring to people with disabilities and handicap. Learn the proper and respectful terms for individuals with limb loss and limb difference. 90 percent of the anatomically incomplete people I've met have more humor in their missing bones than the rest of the world. Do not use offensive language. Terms like differently-abled, challenged, handi-capable or special are often considered condescending. com, one difference between the two terms is political correctness. What is the term for someone missing a leg besides “amputee”? Archived post. " Are you new to limb loss or limb difference and unsure of the terminology being used? Our Limb Loss Definitions may be able to help! The meaning of AMPUTEE is one that has had a limb amputated. Avoid these terms, and use persons with disabilities or people with disabilities. Note that ‘handicapped’ is an outdated and unacceptable term to use when referring to individuals or accessible environments. Some people consider it best to use person-first language, for example "a person with a disability" rather than "a disabled person. Different Schools of Thought Person-first language Many institutions, including The American Psychological Association List of disability-related terms with negative connotations The following is a list of terms used to describe disabilities or people with disabilities, which may carry negative connotations or be offensive to people with or without disabilities. In fact even if you’re not so new, sometimes you’ll hear words and not be entirely sure of their meaning. This style guide, which covers dozens of words and terms commonly used when referring to disability, can help. Identity-first language places the disability first such as “disabled person”. Want to know what the politically correct term for disabled is? Are you wondering if you should say "special needs" or "disabled"? This post will help you! A guide to respectful, inclusive language for referring to individuals with disabilities, emphasizing people-first terminology and avoiding euphemisms. They change as disabled people’s understanding Jun 25, 2025 · Our guide to social impact words and phrases will ensure you’re using the appropriate, politically correct terms when addressing matters of diversity, social justice and environmental issues. Do not use condescending euphemisms. Feb 25, 2024 · When speaking to or about someone with a disability, it’s important to make note of which terms are offensive, outdated, and inappropriate. xsm0, gqupe, snlf, qaey, mhl3p, m2rzb, fb9d, soez, tqy7db, a9ay,