The difference between the almost-right word & the right word is…the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning. —Mark Twain Language

It’s all about respect and dignity, not political correctness! —Kathie Snow Person-First Language

Puts the person before the disability Describes what a person has, not who a person is Reflects good manners, not “political correctness” Was started by individuals who said “We are not our disabilities!” —Kathie Snow

What to say, and what to avoid Words and Phrases

Things to AvoidAppropriate Alternatives Handicapped Disabled, crippled, invalid, gimp Special Needs Mental Retardation Accessible Person with a disability Refer to Kathie Snow Intellectual Disability

Words and Phrases Things to AvoidAppropriate Alternatives Fits Wheelchair bound Confined to a wheelchair Electric Chair Birth Defect Seizures, Epilepsy Uses a wheelchair Wheelchair user Power Chair Born with

Words and Phrases Things to AvoidAppropriate Alternatives Victim or Afflicted with Normal Person who has or Person with Non-disabled, able-bodied

How am I supposed to know? Sandy and Sarah

And other things not to say If your faith had been stronger… —Kathie Sheetz, That All May Worship, 1997

Think before you speak… “If your faith had been stronger, you would have been healed long ago.” “Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.” “I’ll pray for you.” “God must have had a reason for this tragedy happening to you and your family. But, God never gives us more than we can bear.”

And getting answers Asking Questions

Consider this… “Listen to the straight questions of children about my chair. They’re great! They want to know what happened to me, how fast I can go in the chair, how it works, what I can do with it, and whether I hurt. They’re into real questions! Adults at the church coffee hour clam up, look the other way, act embarrassed, and try to shoo the children away.” —That All May Worship

Consider this… “I’d much rather have someone deal with me directly, maybe even say the wrong thing, than to say nothing at all. Words I can handle. Being ignored is tough!” —That All May Worship