The word “disabled” is a description, rather than a collective term. As such the use of terms such as “the disabled” is incorrect. “Disabled People” is a more desirable term in which it is preferred that both Disabled and People are capitalised. 99% of the time, identity-first language is preferred.
Should students with disabilities be capitalized?
In most cases "students with disabilities" is a specific phrase but not a proper noun. As jargon in fields like Education and Disability Studies, I've usually encountered it and similar forms (people with disabilities) in lowercase.
How do you write disability?
Five Tips for Writing About People with Disabilities
- Use person first language. Emphasize the person rather than their disability. ...
- Avoid unnecessary attention. Think of disability like race: don't mention it unless there's a valid reason. ...
- Be neutral. ...
- Accuracy.
