forbidden word: disability
disability n. — 1 His disability prevents him from holding a job: handicap, particular incapacity, disablement, unfitness, infirmity, impairment, defect, affliction, debilitation, impediment, weakness, inadequacy. 2 Not speaking French in Paris is a real disability: disadvantage, disqualification, handicap, shortcoming, minus.
Ant 1 fitness, capability, ability, capacity, strength. 2 advantage, merit, qualification, plus.
from – Family Word Finder: Reader’s Digest. The Reader’s Digest Association, 1975.
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Sensitive Note
Disability is a general term for one or more functional limitations in carrying out major life activities. A disability may be physical, mental, or sensory. The language used to describe disabilities and people with disabilities has changed over time, and older words and phrases like cripple, handicapped, or special needs are no longer recommended and often cause offense. In many cases there is no reason to mention someone’s disability at all; however, when you do introduce disability as a part of an individual’s whole self, it is usually preferable to be specific: “a woman with cerebral palsy” rather than generically “a woman with a disability.” Sometimes the important information is a person’s membership in the disability community, in which case the umbrella term disability is appropriate: “employer accommodation for an employee with a disability.” Some people, especially in the disability rights community, prefer to write disability as dis/ability, (dis)ability, or disAbility in an effort to emphasize ability and minimize ableism. In the same spirit, some also use the words able and ability to mean disabled or disability, as in: “Able team members are asked to share accessibility concerns with their team leader” or “The city council will defer to the recommendations of the ability committee.” This use of able and ability is criticized by some for being unclear or overly euphemistic and is not preferred over the straightforward terms disabled and disability.
from — Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words. (2025g). In Dictionary.com.
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sentence examples: disability
While taking responsibility for causing the by-election, Amesbury said Reform were “the beneficiaries” of government mistakes on cutting winter fuel payments and disability benefits.
From BBC
Sam Hulme, who uses the centre for adults with learning disabilities, said it was very useful.
From BBC
“It will hurt children and families and seniors and women and older Americans and Americans with disabilities. Hospitals will close, nursing homes could shut down, and in fact, people could die.”
From Los Angeles Times
However, the Treasury Committee’s recent report did highlight various groups who relied on cash, including some people with learning disabilities and those who use cash to keep to a budget.
From BBC
Current policy dictates that Americans who are able to do substantial work, defined as earning more than $1,550 in a month, are ineligible for disability benefits.
From Salon
from — Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words. (2025g). In Dictionary.com.
May 6, 2025
Hudson Valley, New York
This is one of the words/ phrases you can’t say in the new Trump Administration. See a comprehensive list at the Forbidden Words Project.
image: daffodil © Holly Troy 4.2025
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Lack of empathy / is the most concerning of / disabilities
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Yes Disability, This affects the caretakers more than most people realize. A spouse or a Mom or Dad with a sick or disabled child. Their are programs provided, however the sacrifice may be worth more than the help provided. Thank You Timothy
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