People First Language

What is People First Language? “People First Language puts the person before the disability, and describes what a person has, not who a person is.” Kathie Snow

Examples Old Language Down’s child Autistic CP kid MIP student Wheelchair bound People First Language Child with Down Syndrome Person with autism Kid with cerebral palsy Student receiving Moderate Intervention Services Person using a wheelchair

Think about it…. What are some terms you have heard that may be considered insensitive or offensive? What are some “People First” ways to say some of the terms you have heard? If you (or someone you know) has a disability, how would you like to be known? What language would you use to describe yourself?

Think MORE about it…. People with disabilities is the only minority group that you can join ANYTIME, through an illness, injury, or the aging process. Language is a large part of culture. Do you want to be PEOPLE centered….or DISABILITY centered? “The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

Why should we use PFL? People with disabilities are PEOPLE FIRST. Disability is part of the natural human experience. 1 in 5 people have a disability. (Commerce Department's Census Bureau on March 16, 2001) It is not about “political correctness”…it is about human dignity.

More Information Disability Is Natural Describing People with Disabilities from Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities guage.asp.tx.us/resources/publications/pfangua ge.asp Kids Together

Sources Roth, L. (2008). As roles change, so do labels for people with disabilities. Hampton Roads. lables-people-disabilities lables-people-disabilities Snow, K., (2009). People First Language. Disability Is Natural.