Ncdj Terminology Quiz
Take this quiz to find out the right - and wrong - ways to write and talk about disability issues.
- 1.What constitutes a "developmental disability"?
- A.
A disability that develops slowly over time.
- B.
A disability one is born with.
- C.
A mental and/or physical impairment that manifests before age 22 and limits functionality in areas such as learning, language and mobility.
- D.
A mental impairment that affects a person’s day-to-day life.
- E.
A physical impairment that affects a person's day-to-day life.
- 2.When describing an individual in a story, when is it appropriate to reference a disability?
- A.
Don't reference a disability unless it is clearly pertinent to the story.
- B.
It’s appropriate to mention a disability in a story only if the individual you are writing about brings it up.
- C.
It’s never appropriate to reference a disability.
- D.
Only reference a disability if it is clearly pertinent to the story and then refer to the person first and the disability second.
- E.
Only reference a disability when the subject of your story agrees that it is OK.
- 3.What is the appropriate way to describe a person who has a disability such as muscular dystrophy?
- A.
“He battles muscular dystrophy.”
- B.
“He is afflicted with muscular dystrophy.”
- C.
“He is stricken with muscular dystrophy.”
- D.
“He has muscular dystrophy.”
- E.
“He suffers from muscular dystrophy.”
- 4.When is it appropriate to use the words handicap or handicapped in a story?
- A.
Ask the person you are interviewing what he or she prefers.
- B.
Never use the words handicap or handicapped in a story.
- C.
These terms are appropriate in most uses.
- D.
Use these terms only when applied to a person.
- E.
Use these terms when describing a place or thing (handicapped parking), but not when describing a person (handicapped person).
- 5.Is it accurate to say that people who are comatose are in a "vegetative state"?
- A.
It’s better to use precise medical terminology when possible or a more general phrase, such as “non-responsive.”
- B.
Yes, and it’s also appropriate to refer to the person as a “vegetable.”
- C.
Use the phrase only if the doctor uses it.
- D.
Use the phrase only if the patient’s family uses it.
- E.
Never use this phrase.
- 6.What does it mean when a person is said to have a "congenital disability"?
- A.
The disability developed after birth.
- B.
The disability is undiagnosed.
- C.
The person has a disability but doesn’t realize it.
- D.
The person has difficulty with cognitive reasoning.
- E.
The person has had the disability since birth.
- 7.Which of the following sentences correctly refers to the genetic, chromosomal disorder named after Dr. J. Langdon Down?
- A.
“He has Down disease.”
- B.
“He has Down syndrome.”
- C.
“He has Down’s.”
- D.
“He is a Down Syndrome child.”
- E.
“He is a Down’s child.”
- 8.Which is the preferred term: Dwarf, little person, midget or someone of short stature?
- A.
Dwarf
- B.
Little Person
- C.
Midget
- D.
Someone of short stature
- E.
It depends. Ask your subject what he or she prefers.
- 9.What is the best way to describe someone who uses a wheelchair?
- A.
Confined to a wheelchair
- B.
Forced to rely on a wheelchair
- C.
Handicapped
- D.
Person who uses a wheelchair or wheelchair user
- E.
Wheelchair bound
- 10.Is it appropriate to describe an individual as being blind?
- A.
It’s usually better to say “visually impaired” but ask the individual what he or she prefers.
- B.
Never call someone blind because it has negative connotations.
- C.
The term is appropriate if it’s used by a medical doctor.
- D.
The term is never appropriate.
- E.
You may describe anyone with limited sight as being blind.
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