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What terminology is used to refer to individuals with disabilities?
Invalids
Persons with disabilities
Disabled individuals
Handicapped people
The correct answer is: Persons with disabilities
The correct terminology is "persons with disabilities." This phrasing is widely accepted and emphasizes the individual first, rather than defining them by their disability. It promotes respect and acknowledges the person's identity beyond their disability. The alternative terms, while historically used, can carry negative connotations or suggest a limitation. For example, the term "invalids" is considered outdated and disrespectful, as it implies that individuals with disabilities lack validity or worth. Similarly, "handicapped" is also seen as outdated and many prefer not to use it because it can imply a sense of limitation in a negative context. "Disabled individuals" is more acceptable than some of the outdated terms, but "persons with disabilities" is still the most preferred and respectful terminology within contemporary discussions and practices concerning disability.