[Disability Awareness Column] Terms Encountered in Everyday Life by People with and without Disabilities

-Persons with Disabilities Act-
“Person with a disability” refers to a person who experiences significant limitations in daily life or social life due to physical or mental disabilities over a prolonged period.
(Article 2, Paragraph 1 and 2 of the “Persons with Disabilities Act”).

Disability Awareness Newspaper= Choi Bong-hyeok Columnist (AI, ESG, DX Convergence Expert, Workplace Disability Awareness Training Expert)

"How did the term 'Person with a disability' come about?"

When the 'Act on the Welfare of the Mentally and Physically Handicapped' was enacted in 1981, the Ministry of Health and Welfare considered various aspects regarding the term 'handicapped person'. First, traditional terms like 'cripple' were eliminated because they carried a negative connotation towards persons with disabilities.

Another term, 'disabled person', was also deemed inappropriate as it only emphasized the aspect of being damaged. Instead, the term 'disabled person' was officially adopted. This adopted the concept of 'disability' proposed by the academic community and the concept of 'disability' proposed by the UN and WHO.

At that time, the concept of 'disability' extended beyond the meaning of personal impairment to emphasize the responsibility of the social environment. In other words, the disabled state a person with a disability possesses is not their own responsibility, but a socially disadvantaged (handicap) state created by the social environment; this marked a shift in perspective.

Therefore, it is believed that the social environment has a responsibility to remove that disadvantaged state. It also carries a philosophical meaning that emphasizes the inherent human rights of a person with a disability. Ultimately, the term 'disabled person' is based on the human rights of persons with disabilities and emphasizes the responsibility of the state and society to ensure a dignified life for persons with disabilities.

In other words, 'disabled person' can be considered the most appropriate expression for the human rights of a person with a disability. With this meaning, the term 'disabled person' was changed to 'person with a disability' in 1989 when the 'Act on the Welfare of the Mentally and Physically Handicapped' was renamed the 'Persons with Disabilities Act'. The reason for this was to further emphasize the 'person' aspect. (Source=Darkness and Dawn)

"How do you perceive disability?"

Disability primarily originates from impairment.

It refers to a permanent or temporary pathological condition resulting from amputation, paralysis, or physical impairment, which leads to the loss of psychological, anatomical, or functional structures.

In this regard, impairment is merely one attribute, but within specific social environments and conditions, it has been perceived as 'disability'.

From a societal perspective, the viewpoint of viewing persons with disabilities needs to change from one of benevolence, sympathy, volunteering, or overcoming, to one that recognizes them as individuals in need of assistance.

Until now, it has been believed that 'the problem of disability lies with the individual who has the impairment', and the goal has been to adapt individuals to society through individual treatment and expert support.

It is important to recognize that disability is not the responsibility of the individual, but rather the social environment and structure that transform 'impairment' into a state of disability.

How should we refer to those who are not persons with disabilities?

Many people often use the terms 'normal people' or 'general public'.

This implies that if one does not belong to that group, they are not normal and fall outside the category of 'normal people', which can be interpreted as abnormal. This leads to the erroneous conclusion that a person with a disability is abnormal.

For this reason, referring to those who are not persons with disabilities as 'non-disabled persons' can be considered the most objective terminology.

Persons with Disabilities and Non-Disabled Persons, Everyday Terms

Persons with Disabilities and Non-Disabled Persons, Appropriate Language for a Mutually Respectful Society

"Persons with Disabilities" and "Non-disabled Persons" are commonly used terms in our society, but they are not often used correctly. Misuse of language can exacerbate prejudice and discrimination against persons with disabilities, and it can hinder the creation of a mutually respectful society.

1. Example 1: "Disabled Toilet" vs "Toilet for Persons with Disabilities"

The toilet used by persons with disabilities is often referred to as a "disabled toilet". However, this can lead to misunderstandings, as it may seem like a space only for persons with disabilities. The expression "toilet for persons with disabilities" clearly indicates that the toilet is accessible to persons with disabilities and demonstrates a more inclusive attitude.

2. Example 2: "Disabled Parking Bay" vs "Parking Bay for Persons with Disabilities"

"Disabled parking bay" can also be misunderstood as a space only for persons with disabilities. The expression "parking bay for persons with disabilities" clearly indicates that it is a space provided for the convenience of persons with disabilities and contributes to the protection of their right to mobility through proper usage.

3. Example 3: "Normal Person" vs "Non-disabled Person"

The term "normal person" can lead to the erroneous perception of a person with a disability as an abnormal being. The expression "non-disabled person" is a neutral term that simply means a person without a disability, rather than classifying people based on the presence or absence of a disability.

4. Example 4: "Inconvenient" vs "Experiencing Difficulties"

When a person with a disability experiences difficulties in a certain situation, using the expression "inconvenient" can downplay their discomfort or attribute it to their disability. The expression "experiencing difficulties" objectively indicates that a person with a disability is facing challenges in a particular situation and can help in exploring solutions.

5. Example 5: "Persons with Disabilities Can Do It If They Try" vs "Persons with Disabilities Can Do It If Given the Opportunity"

The expression "persons with disabilities can do it if they try" attributes the success of a person with a disability solely to their individual efforts. For a person with a disability to utilize their abilities, it is crucial for society to improve its understanding and establish institutional mechanisms that provide opportunities. The expression "persons with disabilities can do it if given the opportunity" emphasizes social responsibility and fosters awareness of expanding the participation of persons with disabilities in society.

6. Example 6: "School for Persons with Disabilities" vs "Special Needs School"

"School for persons with disabilities" can give the impression that persons with disabilities are a special group. "Special needs school" clearly indicates that it is an educational institution that provides education to students with disabilities.

7. Example 7: "Athlete with a Disability" vs "Paralympic Athlete"

"Athlete with a disability" is an expression that clearly indicates that they are athletes, regardless of whether they have a disability. "Paralympic athlete" refers to an athlete participating in the Paralympic Games, which is a sports event for persons with disabilities, and can be used when referring to an athlete participating in a particular competition.

Appropriate Language Use, the First Step Towards a Mutually Respectful Society

==Reference Materials==

-Persons with Disabilities Act-
“Person with a disability” refers to a person who experiences significant limitations in daily life or social life due to physical or mental disabilities over a prolonged period (Article 2, Paragraph 1 and 2 of the “Persons with Disabilities Act”).

A person with physical or mental disabilities. Legally, as stated above, it refers to a person who experiences significant limitations in daily life or social life due to physical or mental disabilities over a prolonged period. (Source: Namu)

A person with a disability is a person who experiences limitations in daily life due to physical or mental impairment, resulting in social discrimination. (Source: Wikipedia)

Source: [Disability Awareness Column] Terms Encountered in Daily Life Between Persons with Disabilities and Non-disabled Persons: Disability Awareness Newspaper - https://dpi1004.com/4084