Beeinträchtigte

Beeinträchtigte is a German noun used to refer to people who have impairments. The term derives from the adjective beeinträchtigt (impaired) and is used as a collective designation for individuals whose bodily or mental functions are affected to a noticeable degree. In everyday usage it appears with various articles and in plural form as die Beeinträchtigten.

Usage and connotations can vary. The term can be neutral in medical, clinical, or sociological contexts, but it can also be perceived as stigmatizing if used as a fixed label rather than as a descriptive reference. Contemporary disability-language guidelines often prefer person-centered expressions such as Menschen mit Beeinträchtigungen or Personen mit Beeinträchtigungen, which emphasize the person before the impairment.

Relation to related concepts is important for understanding the terminology. Beeinträchtigung refers to an impairment or functional limitation, whereas Behinderung denotes disability, a broader social construct that arises from the interaction of impairment with environmental and societal barriers. In discussions about disability rights and inclusion, the distinction between impairment and disability is commonly highlighted to address both medical aspects and social participation.

In practice, language evolves with attitudes toward disability and inclusion. While Beeinträchtigte may appear in historical texts, some contemporary contexts favor more person-first formulations to reflect respect for individuals and to avoid defining people solely by their impairment.

See also: disability, Beeinträchtigung, Behinderung, disability rights, person-first language.