From Disabled Persons to Persons With Disabilities: A Guide to Inclusive Language
Is There a Distinction Between “Disabled Individuals” and “People with Disabilities”?
For Zhi Xiang Shuo, the Difference Matters.
We all experience situational and temporary disabilities in daily life. Imagine covering an injured eye, wrestling with heavy luggage in a subway without elevators, or even navigating life after losing loved ones. Without warning, anyone could join the ranks of those facing social isolation or inconvenience due to circumstances beyond their control.
People with disabilities and those experiencing “social inconveniences” exist in a unique space—they are, yet aren’t, a minority group. The truth is, there’s no fundamental divide between “them” and “us.” Every human being represents a spectrum of possibilities.
As members of the so-called “majority,” showing empathy toward the “minority” means more than just understanding their struggles—it’s about recognizing our shared humanity across life’s unpredictable journey.
When fate’s wheel turns, there are no permanent winners—only those currently enjoying good fortune.
This profound truth drives Zhi Xiang Shuo’s mission to create accessible product packaging.
By incorporating universal design principles from the start, we can develop more inclusive products—and gradually reduce the number of people who feel “disabled” by their environment.
At bottleDream’s “Parallel Universe” event focusing on disability inclusion, Mia, founder of accessibility initiatives, shared this insight: “True accessibility conversations must move beyond just ‘disabled individuals.'” Only when society recognizes that disability stems from random environmental and circumstantial factors—and breaks down mental barriers—can we build genuinely inclusive communities.
Many concepts in this article draw inspiration from the Douban group “From ‘Disabled Individuals’ to ‘People with Disabilities.'” We extend our deepest gratitude to this community for sparking Zhi Xiang Shuo’s accessible product innovations.
@Social Impact
Edward Grant 
Ada Stephens 
Bennett Schmidt
I never thought about situational disabilities before, but it makes so much sense—everyone can relate to moments where we’re temporarily hindered. The shift from “disabled persons” to “persons with disabilities” feels like more than just word choice; it’s about recognizing humanity first.
I never thought about situational disabilities before, but it makes so much sense—like how losing someone close can feel paralyzing emotionally. The language shift from “disabled persons” to “persons with disabilities” feels more respectful because it puts the person first. It’s a good reminder that ability isn’t fixed for any of us. This article really opened my eyes to how we can be more considerate in our language choices.
I never realized how situational disabilities can be until reading this—suddenly so much of my own experience makes sense. It’s eye-opening to think about how language shapes our understanding of ability. Using “people first” language feels like a small but important step toward empathy. This guide should be mandatory reading for everyone.
I never realized how situational disability can be until reading this—losing loved ones or dealing with temporary injuries definitely counts. It’s so important to focus on the person first rather than their condition. The language shift from “disabled persons” to “persons with disabilities” makes a real difference in how we see each other. This article really opened my eyes to the nuances of inclusive language.
I never thought about how everyday situations can create temporary disabilities, but it makes so much sense. Using “people with disabilities” feels more respectful since it focuses on the person first. The distinction matters, especially when we’re talking about inclusive language. It’s a good reminder that disability can happen to any of us at any time.
I never thought about how situational disabilities can affect anyone, but it makes total sense. Using “people with disabilities” feels more respectful since it focuses on the person first. The distinction matters, and I’m glad this guide is helping raise awareness. It’s eye-opening to see how language shapes our understanding of ability.
I never realized how language can shape attitudes until I read this. Using “person with a disability” feels more respectful because it focuses on the person first. The examples you gave about situational disabilities really hit home—they make me see how anyone could face these challenges. It’s eye-opening to think about disability as something that isn’t always permanent or visible.
I never realized how language can shape attitudes until I read this. Using “people first” language makes so much sense—it shifts the focus from the disability to the person. Those examples you gave really hit home how we’re all just one circumstance away from needing that inclusive mindset ourselves. It’s not just about being politically correct; it’s about basic respect.
I never realized how situational disability can be until reading this—suddenly, it feels like something that could happen to any of us. Using “people with disabilities” feels more respectful because it focuses on the person first, not the condition. The guide makes a strong case for why language matters in how we see others. It’s eye-opening to think about accessibility challenges we might unknowingly contribute to.
This article really made me rethink how small language shifts can create big impacts. I never considered how temporary situations like carrying heavy bags could help us empathize with disability experiences. The “person-first” approach feels more humanizing once you frame it this way.
This article really made me think about how small language shifts can change perspectives. I never considered how “person with a disability” puts the person first while “disabled person” might define them by their condition. The examples about temporary disabilities were eye-opening too – we really could all experience this at some point.
Thank you for your thoughtful reflection! I’m glad the article resonated with you – those subtle language shifts truly do make a meaningful difference in how we perceive others. The temporary disability perspective is something that personally changed my own thinking too. Your engagement with these ideas is exactly why inclusive language matters!
This article really made me rethink how small language shifts can create big impacts. I’d never considered how temporary situations like injuries or grief could make anyone experience disability—that perspective is eye-opening. The “person-first” approach feels so much more humanizing than outdated labels.