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    disabled

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    disabled
    dis‧a‧bled S3 W3 /dɪsˈeɪbəld/ adjective
     Word Family: noun: ability ≠ inability, disability; adjective: able ≠ unable, disabled; verb: enable ≠ disable; adverb: ably
    1. someone who is disabled cannot use a part of their body properly, or cannot learn easily ⇨ handicapped:
        a support group for parents of disabled children
        a severely disabled polio patient
        physically/mentally disabled
        If you are elderly or physically disabled, massage can be beneficial.
        teachers who work with learning disabled children (=children who have problems learning)
        disabled parking/toilet/access etc (=for physically disabled people)
    2. the disabled [plural] people who are disabled:
        The theatre has good access for the disabled.
         
    THESAURUS
       ▪ disabled not able to use a part of your body properly or not able to learn normally, because of a permanent problem: Disabled people should have the same rights and choices as everyone else. | Elaine is severely disabled and relies on 24 hour care. | The charity provides opportunities and facilities for disabled people to take part in sport.
       ▪ special needs if someone has special needs, they have physical or mental disabilities: a school for children with special needs | A woman whose five-year-old son has special needs has accused her local education authority of failing to provide him with a decent eductation.
       ▪ learning difficulties/disabilities if someone has learning difficulties, they have difficulty learning basic skills or information: A child’s behavioural problems may be associated with learning difficulties. | special courses for students with moderate learning difficulties
       ▪ handicapped disabled – this word is old-fashioned and is now considered offensive. It is better to say that someone has learning difficulties or has special needs.
       ▪ wheelchair user someone who is in a wheelchair because they cannot walk: There is easy access for wheelchair users.
       ▪ paraplegic someone who is unable to move the lower part of their body, including their legs: He had a riding accident, which left him a paraplegic.
       ▪ quadriplegic someone who is permanently unable to move any part of their body below their neck