| Sr.No |
Word |
Meaning |
| 61 |
DIVERSITY |
recognising and valuing differences between individuals and groups of people. (This is an important concept in terms of the integration of people with disabilities into society.) |
| 62 |
DOWN SYNDROME |
a congenital (and usually chromosomal) disorder characterised by a flattened facial profile, moderate to severe mental disability, and short stature. Also called Down's syndrome. Formerly called mongolism, a term which is no longer acceptable. Mongolism, mongol, mongoloid and related terms are offensive. When speaking generally, it is acceptable to refer to a person with the condition as having an intellectual disability, or simply say "He/She has Down syndrome." |
| 63 |
DUMBNESS |
The term is not acceptable because of its negative connotations; use instead neutral, inoffensive words such as "speech disability". adjective dumb. (see also deaf and dumb, deaf-mute, mute, mutism.) |
| 64 |
DWARF |
person who is unusually short. Some people with the medical condition of dwarfism find the word "dwarf" acceptable while others dislike it and prefer the term "little person"; there is currently no concensus. (See also little person.) |
| 65 |
DWARFISM |
medical term for any of several conditions characterised by underdevelopment of the body. (See also infantilism.) |
| 66 |
DYSARTHRIA |
a speech disorder involving unclear articulation |
| 67 |
DYSLEXIA |
an organising or learning difficulty affecting language, fine co-ordination skills and working memory skills. It is independent of overall ability and conventional teaching. When untreated, there are significant limitations in the development of certain aspects of speech, reading, spelling, writing and sometimes numeracy "which may lead to secondary behavioural problems" although other areas of ability are unaffected. adjective dyslexic. Do not use "dyslexic" as a class noun as in phrases such as "Dyslexics are..." or as a noun in sentences such as "He/She is a dyslexic." Use instead terms like "Dyslexic people" if saving space, for example when writing for a newspaper, or preferably "People with dyslexia", and when describing an individual, say simply "He/She has dyslexia." The principle is that people should not be defined primarily or solely by their disability. |
| 68 |
EARLY DETECTION |
discovery or diagnosis of a disability in the womb, shortly after birth or through screening in school. |
| 69 |
EMOTIONAL DISABILITY |
mental illness. The terms "emotional disability", "mental disability", "mental illness" and "psychiatric disability" are acceptable whereas "emotional disorder", "emotional disturbance" and "mental disorder" are considered to have negative associations, except in a medical context, and should be avoided. Terms such as "crazy" and "mad" are offensive and should not be used. adjective emotionally disabled. (See mental disability and mental illness.) |
| 70 |
EMOTIONAL DISORDER |
See emotional disability, mental disability and mental illness. |
| 71 |
EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE |
See emotional disability, mental disability and mental illness. |
| 72 |
EMPOWERMENT |
process by which individuals or groups of people gain the ability to make decisions and gain control over their lives, thereby, transforming feelings of powerlessness, helplessness and hopelessness into positive feelings of mastery, control and hope. verb empower; adjective empowered. (Compare advocacy) |
| 73 |
ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIER |
obstacle preventing a person with a disability from travelling and/or having access to buildings. An example is a building with steps as the sole means of entry, which would prevent people in wheelchairs from visiting that building. (See also barrier; compare access.) |
| 74 |
EQUALISATION |
the process whereby people with disabilities take their rightful place in society alongside non-disabled people, brought about through many means, including legislation, promotion of barrier-free environments, community-based rehabilitation services, education and training and employment. |
| 75 |
EQUALISATION OF OPPORTUNITIES |
(as defined in 1982 by the United Nations World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons) the process through which the various systems of society and the environment, such as services, activities, information and documentation, are made available to all, particularly to persons with disabilities. |
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