What do you understand by the term disability? Explain any four disability etiquettes.

4.1 — Short Answer Questions

Q. What do you understand by the term disability? Explain any four disability etiquettes.

West Bengal WbchseCBSE Class XII Board 2020Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★est

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Concept understanding — Disability Terminology

Disability Terminology — A First Look

Think of language as a tool that shapes how we see people. The words we choose can either include someone or push them to the margins. Disability terminology is the set of words and phrases we use to talk about people with disabilities — and the way we use them has changed over time because our understanding has changed.

The core idea is simple: a person is not their disability. A person who cannot see is not "a blind person" in the sense that blindness defines their entire identity. They are a person who happens to be blind. This shift — putting the person first — is the heart of modern disability terminology.

The Two Main Approaches

There are two broad frameworks you will encounter, especially in Indian exams and policy documents.

1. Person-First Language — This is the dominant approach in official contexts (NCERT, government schemes, medical reports). You say "a person with a disability" or "a child with visual impairment." The person comes first; the condition comes second. The idea is to avoid reducing someone to their impairment.

2. Identity-First Language — Some communities prefer this. For example, many Deaf people say "Deaf person" proudly, seeing it as a cultural identity, not a medical condition. Similarly, some autistic adults say "autistic person" because they see autism as inseparable from who they are. In exam contexts, person-first language is safer unless a specific community preference is mentioned.

Important

In Indian exam settings (CBSE, UPSC, state boards), person-first language is the standard. Always write "persons with disabilities" (PwD), not "disabled persons," unless quoting a specific source that uses identity-first language.

Key Terms You Must Know

Here are the terms that appear most often in Indian syllabi and the RPwD Act 2016.

Term	What It Means	What to Avoid
Impairment	A biological condition — loss of a body part or function (e.g., missing a limb, poor eyesight)	Using "impairment" as a synonym for "disability"
Disability	The interaction between a person with an impairment and barriers in society (steps, no braille, prejudice)	Saying "suffering from" a disability
Handicap	A disadvantage that results from the disability — e.g., a wheelchair user is not handicapped by the chair but by a building with no ramp	Using "handicapped" as a label for people (it's outdated)
Special needs	Used for children who need extra support in education	"Special children" — this is vague and can be patronising
Differently abled	A term sometimes used in India to sound positive	Many disability activists reject it as euphemistic; "person with disability" is preferred

Watch out

Never use "crippled," "lame," "dumb," "retarded," "handicapped person," or "confined to a wheelchair." These are considered offensive. Say "person who uses a wheelchair" instead.

The Social Model vs. The Medical Model

This is the single most important conceptual shift you need to make.

Medical Model — The old way. It says: the problem is in the person's body. Fix the body, or the person is "less able." This leads to pity, segregation, and terms like "patient" or "sufferer."

Social Model — The modern way. It says: the problem is in society's failure to accommodate difference. A person who cannot walk is not disabled by their legs — they are disabled by stairs. Remove the stairs, add a ramp, and the disability disappears. This is why the RPwD Act 2016 defines disability as an "evolving concept" that results from barriers in society.

Note

| Medical Model says | Social Model says |

|--------------------|-------------------|

| "She is disabled because she cannot walk." | "She is disabled because the building has no ramp." |

| "He is blind." | "He has a visual impairment, and the lack of braille signage disables him." |

| Focus on cure, treatment, charity | Focus on rights, accessibility, inclusion |

The Precise Statement (Exam-Ready)

Disability terminology refers to the language used to describe individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental health conditions. The preferred approach in Indian policy and law is person-first language — e.g., "person with disability" (PwD) — which emphasises the individual before the condition. The RPwD Act 2016 defines a person with disability as someone with a long-term impairment who faces barriers to full participation in society. Terms like "handicapped" and "crippled" are outdated and should not be used.

A Quick Memory Trick

Think of it this way: You are not your glasses. You are a person who wears glasses. The glasses are a tool, not your identity. Disability terminology asks you to extend that same respect to every person — see the person first, the condition second.

Disability is a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses or everyday activities; disability etiquettes are respectful behaviours that ensure dignity and inclusion when interacting with persons with disabilities.

Understanding disability begins with recognising it not as a deficiency but as a condition that affects how someone navigates the world. A disability is a physical or mental state that restricts a person's ability to perform certain tasks, movements or activities that others might take for granted. It can involve limitations in sensory perception (sight, hearing), mobility, cognitive function or communication. Importantly, disability is often a permanent condition, meaning it shapes a person's daily life in lasting ways. The key is to see the person first, not the disability.

When we interact with persons with disabilities, certain etiquettes—simple, respectful behaviours—make all the difference. These are not acts of charity but expressions of basic human dignity and equality. Four essential disability etiquettes stand out:

Talk directly to the person. When someone with a disability is accompanied by a companion or interpreter, the instinct is often to address the companion instead. This is demeaning. Speak to the person themselves, maintain eye contact with them, and engage them as you would anyone else. They are the subject of the conversation, not an observer.

Offer to shake their hand, even if they have limited use of their arms. A handshake is a universal gesture of respect and greeting. If someone has limited arm mobility or uses a prosthetic, still extend your hand. They will respond in whatever way is comfortable for them—perhaps a left hand, a touch, or a nod. The offer itself signals equality and acknowledgment.

Ask before you help. It is natural to want to assist someone who appears to be struggling, but unsolicited help can be patronising or even disruptive. A person with a disability has often developed their own methods and may not need or want assistance. Always ask first: "May I help you with that?" Respect their answer, whether it is yes or no.

Listen to them patiently and carefully. Some disabilities affect speech or communication speed. Resist the urge to finish their sentences, interrupt or rush them. Give them the time and space to express themselves fully. Patience is not a favour; it is respect for their voice and autonomy.

Note

Another important etiquette is to inform the person before you leave a conversation. Abruptly walking away can be confusing or distressing, especially for someone with a visual impairment who may not realise you have gone. A simple "I'm stepping away now" maintains courtesy and clarity.

Important

Never lean on, move or play with a wheelchair or any other assistive device. These aids are extensions of a person's body and personal space. Treating them casually is invasive and disrespectful—imagine someone leaning on your shoulder without permission.

These etiquettes are not exhaustive, but they form the foundation of inclusive, respectful interaction. They remind us that disability does not diminish a person's right to dignity, autonomy and full participation in society.

✓Final answer

In short, disability is a condition that limits a person's physical or mental abilities in everyday life, and disability etiquettes—such as speaking directly to the person, asking before helping, listening patiently and respecting their assistive devices—ensure respectful, dignified interaction that honours their autonomy and equality.

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Q.What do you understand by the term disability? Explain any four disability etiquettes.

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