Himachal Pradesh Government has banned the use of expression “handicapped” in the context of official correspondence, official report, Government institutions and organizations on the request of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.

A spokesman of the State Government said that the word “handicapped” violates and undermines the dignity of persons with disabilities. So now the word will be used as ‘persons with disabilities’ or for the matter as ‘persons with blindness’, “persons with speech and hearing impairment”, persons with locomotor disabilities etc. where ever such description is both necessary and relevant.