Positive/Negative Terminology
Ann Freedman
Associate Director
(770) 408-1800, ext. 144
| Negative | Positive |
| Handicapped | A person with a disability |
| Confined or wheelchair bound | Uses a wheelchair |
| Afflicted with/Suffering from | Has… (arthritis) |
| Deaf and dumb | Deaf or hearing impaired and does not speak |
| Mute | A person without speech |
| Disease | Name the specific disease. Ie: Lupus |
| (Stroke) victim | A person who had a stroke |
| Epileptic/Arthritic | A person who has epilepsy, arthritis |
| Feebleminded/Retarded | A person with a developmental disability |
| Normal | A non-disabled person |
| Crippled/Deformed/Lame | A person with a physical disability |
| Sightless | Blind or visually impaired |
| Crazy/Insane | A person with a mental or emotional disability |
| Birth Defect | A person with a mental or emotional disability |
| Shut-in | At home member |