Disability vs special needs

I’m sometimes asked “Why do you say “disability” instead of “special needs”?

Here’s the most basic reason:

  • When people say “special needs”, the next word is usually “kids”.
  • When people say “disability”, the next word is often “rights”.

I’m an adult, and I want equal rights. For that reason, I’m going to keep using the language that has room for adulthood and power.