By the way of their creation all dictionaries are out of date including the current on-line 3rd Ed of the OED. Dictionary creation reflect the priorities of their creators and the time they were constructed. Therefore they are a precious source for historians.
Etymology is a valid tool for the understanding of the ancient pasts of the people with impairments and attitudes to them. Attitudes change. At one time disabled people were worshipped as gods. Two days of the week are named after gods with physical impairments. If we do not know or understand our collective past we are not likely to understand our future.
I have used a number of dictionaries in my research, not just relying on the OED. I have shared some of my research finding directly with John Simpson in a number of communications.
So far I have produced three word studies :
<http://www.academia.edu/4444987/A_history_of_the_word_handicap_extended_Keith_Armstrong>
and with graphics <http://www.slideshare.net/yourkamden/a-history-of-the-word-handicap-extended-by-keith-armstrong>
And other texts on the words 'cripple' and 'claudius'. They are both on the above sites along with of articles.
Keith Armstrong
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