Official website of the
City of Vancouver, Washington

Disability Etiquette

The most important thing to remember is that a disabled person is just that--a person. Their disabling condition(s) are only secondary to what makes them a person. In general, the individuals in the disabled community prefer to be referred to as People with Disabilities as opposed to handicapped.

Distinction between Disability and Handicap

A Disability is a condition caused by an accident, trauma, genetics or disease, which may limit a person's mobility, hearing, vision, speech or mental function. Some people with disabilities have one or more disabilities.

A Handicap is a physical or attitudinal constraint that is imposed upon a person, regardless of whether that person has a disability. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines handicap as to put at a disadvantage.