fatlaður

Fatlaður is an Icelandic adjective meaning disabled, used to describe a person who has a physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental impairment that can affect daily activities. The related noun is fötlun (disability). In everyday Icelandic, fatlaður einstaklingur is a common way to refer to a person with a disability, with the adjective agreeing with the noun in gender and number.

In contemporary usage, many people advocate person-first language: fólk með fötlun (people with a disability). Some speakers regard fatlaður as outdated, stigmatizing, or pejorative, especially when used as a stand-alone label or insult. When discussing disability in media or policy, neutral phrasing and person-centered language are often preferred.

Social and policy context in Iceland emphasizes inclusion and accessibility. Legislation and programs aim to remove barriers in education, housing, transportation, and employment and to ensure equal rights for people with disabilities. Iceland also participates in international disability-rights frameworks that inform national policy, research, and service delivery. The term fatlaður remains common in everyday speech and some formal contexts, but awareness of respectful language continues to influence its usage.

See also: disability rights in Iceland; accessibility; fötlun; person-first language.