Words don’t have to be this blatantly offensive to cause offense. Watching what you say isn’t as easy — or even as all-fire important

By Scott Swedenburg

If you’re providing services for children in wheelchairs, what word do you use to describe those you serve? Is it “handicapped,” “disabled” or “ability challenged”? Again, it’s all about knowing your audience. The politically correct phrase might be “ability challenged.” But if you’re writing to my mom, who’s 70, she has no idea what “ability challenged” means. She will, however, gladly write a check to help a handicapped child.