[ovibos]

Why does "disabled" have the connotation of being unable to be productive, and the phrase "people with disabilities" not? Surely, if we use the phrase "people with disabilities" as we would have used "disabled", it will gain similar connotations, no?

Sorry if i come off as confrontational, I'm legitimately curious

[grzm]

I believe the preference is due to "disabled person" has the connotation of "a person who is disabled", where "disabled" is an essential property of the person, while "person with disabilities" has the connotation where the disability is not essential to the person's definition: it's just one aspect of the person.

[escapologybb]

I'm going to assume good faith and, in my very humble opinion, you are absolutely correct. If it's got the word disabled in it it has the same connotations.

You. Are. Broken.

Refer to all disabled people by their chosen name if you know it, otherwise ask them and then work around any logistical problems as they come up and as they are referred to you by the disabled person. Do not assume anything and do not push a wheelchair without asking and/or being asked. Even if a disabled person is lying on the ground, they will ask if they need help.

Rules to live by able-bodied people, rules to live by!