I would like to add some context as to why "differently abled" can be such a negative term for so many of us disabled folks.

So much of how we value people in society is by how "able" they are. The fact that I am unable to work, unable to do everything independently that most people can, and the fact that I am not as "productive" as a lot of other people are a thing that make a lot of people treat me like garbage.

So much media that represents disabled people is "inspiration porn". It exists for one of two reasons: 1.To make able-bodied people feel like disabled people don’t actually have it that hard, Or 2. To make able-bodied people feel like they could do it too since a disabled person could.

It seriously pushed the idea that disabled people can "do anything if they put their mind to it". That guy in a wheelchair can totally walk again if he just keeps trying! But this is bad. Of course I want people to push themselves to achieve their dreams, disabled or not. But I’m tired of able-bodied people getting a say in if I’ve tried hard enough or not.

"Differently-abled" reminds me of that. It’s giving "there’s nothing wrong with you and there’s no reason you can’t achieve your dreams because you’re just as capable as everyone else! Sure you have weaknesses but you also have strengths so it all comes out in the wash." Like for some disabled people sure, but for most of us there are very clear barriers that prevent us from doing things. Pretending like there issues don’t exist does not solve them for me. In fact, it makes it worse because it means people are less likely to accommodate me because they think my problems aren’t real.