Correct way to address persons with disability

We thank The Daily Star for their wonderful coverage on Employment of Persons with Disabilities on 7 December. However, I would like to point out that its reference to persons with disabilities as "differently abled" is unfortunately not appropriate.

Initiated in recognition of the taboo around the word "disability", countries started using the terms "differently abled" or "specially challenged" instead, considering them to be more civil or dignified. This was corrected following the formulation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at the United Nations. The CRPD and disability rights advocates have emphasised the need for addressing the person, not their disabilities. So the terms being promoted are “persons/ women/ children with disability”. 

It is therefore expected that a newspaper as prolific as The Daily Star will also use these terms promoted by international organisations working with disabilities, such as the UN.

Dr Nafeesur Rahman
Director, NFOWD