Understanding the Use of People First Language www.laspdg.org Understanding the Use of People First Language Presented by Pamdora Williams LaSPDG Staff @laspdg

Considerations This webinar is being recorded and will be available for viewing at www.laspdg.org If you need to ask a question, please use the Chat Pod on your screen (NOTE: all participants will see your chat) You can download today’s presentation resources from the FILES pod. --Click on the file name and then select “SAVE TO MY COMPUTER”. --Select a destination on your computer and then save the file.

CLU Credit In order to receive a certificate of participation for today’s webinar (1 CLU credit contingent upon the approval of your employing school system) you will need to type the following information into the chat pod at this time: Full name Parish you are representing Your complete email address Your certificate will be emailed to you by Friday afternoon; if you do not receive it, please email Wendy Allen wallen@lsu.edu

Indicate your knowledge of People First Language (PFL) 0 - I have never heard of People First Language 1 - I have some knowledge of People First Language 2 - I have a good understanding of People First Language

Goal: To develop awareness and sensitivity to words that refer to individuals and their disabilities. Objectives: To understand the importance of words chosen when referring to individuals with disabilities To become aware of statements that represent People First Language To apply People First Language to non-examples

Sticks & Stones Think back to a time when someone hurt you with verbal sticks and stones. Think about a word/phrase to describe how that impacted you.

Sticks & Stones Sticks and stones may break the bones, but words CAN and DO HURT!

People First Language “People First Language puts the person before the disability and describes what a person has, not who a person is.” “Old and inaccurate descriptors perpetuate negative stereotypes and generate an incredibly powerful attitudinal barrier – the greatest obstacle facing individuals with disabilities.” “People First Language reflects good manners, not ‘political correctness’ and it was started by individuals who said ‘We are not our disabilities’.” Kathie Snow. (n.d.) A few words about People First Language. Disability is Natural. Retrieved August 1, 2012 from http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PDF/pfl-sh09.pdf

Which statement uses People First Language correctly? Let’s take a poll…. Which statement uses People First Language correctly? She’s learning disabled. He receives special education services. He is a LAA 2 student.

Which statement uses People First Language correctly? She’s learning disabled. He receives special education services. He is a LAA 2 student.

People First Language I WILL SAY: INSTEAD OF: People with disabilities. Cognitive or intellectual disability Mike has autism Accessible parking INSTEAD OF: Handicapped/disabled Mental retardation Mike is autistic Handicapped parking “Language tends to shape beliefs about a person’s potential needs and desires “ [Hutchinson and McGill, 1992]. The language we use influences the way we see people and the way they see themselves.

Video of People First Language http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ0pKPxoyHs This is part of a social marketing campaign to raise awareness of the importance of utilizing people-first language when referring to people who have developmental or intellectual disabilities

Poll: “Say This, Not That” Read the statement Determine whether-or-not the statement is an example of People First Language.

SAY “I am the inclusion teacher and will have the students with disabilities in my class this year.” “I am the inclusion teacher and will have the sped kids in my class this year.” INSTEAD OF

“Molly is a first grade student in my class; she is autistic.” SAY “Molly is a first grade student in my class; she has a diagnosis of autism.” “Molly is a first grade student in my class; she is autistic.” INSTEAD OF 15

SAY “Bryant receives special education services and will be a part of the basketball team this year.” 16

“Clay is confined to a wheelchair this year.” SAY “Clay will utilize a wheelchair this year.” “Clay is confined to a wheelchair this year.” INSTEAD OF 17

“The school has made additional spaces for handicapped parking.” SAY “The school has made additional spaces for accessible parking.” “The school has made additional spaces for handicapped parking.” INSTEAD OF 18

“Derick is in my 4th hour class and he has a developmental delay.” SAY “Derick is in my 4th hour class and he has a developmental delay.” 19

“John communicates with his eyes/devices/etc.” SAY “John communicates with his eyes/devices/etc.” “John is non-verbal.” INSTEAD OF

“Bill is a student who takes the LAA1 test.” SAY “Bill is a student who takes the LAA1 test.” “Bill is a LAA1 student.” INSTEAD OF

Jill Egle is an author, international speaker, and self-advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities. https://vimeo.com/43469334

Let’s take a poll…. How People First Friendly is your school? 1 Best….5 Worst

Let’s Chat! Using the Chat Pod… Share ways you can spread People First Language with educators, families, and other stakeholders?

What Can I Do as a Teacher? Teach your students PFL - pledge Share with staff (watch webinar at http://laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=313) - pledge Use with your co-workers Use at meetings Invite guest speakers to your class Help ensure your school’s written documents support PFL Have students bring in non-examples used in media (web, newspaper, magazine) & discuss how to change to PFL Practice!

For additional information, articles & resources…. Visit website www.disabilityisnatural.com/

Resources People First Language Webinar http://laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=313 Disability Is Natural http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/explore/language-communication Family to Family Network http://www.familytofamilynetwork.org/parent-resources/people-first-language   Brochure http://www.dads.state.tx.us/news_info/publications/brochures/respectfullanguage.pdf   I’m Tyler http://www.imtyler.org/   You tube Jill Egle https://vimeo.com/43469334 US Department of Labor http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/comucate.htm

Questions? Please use your chat pod if you have questions related to this presentation (if time permits, we will answer them, if not, please email questions to contacts below) After this webinar, you may email any content-related questions to Pamdora Williams pwilli@lsu.edu You may email any grant-related questions to Melanie Lemoine lemoinem@lsu.edu

REMINDER: CLU Credit IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO DURING THIS WEBINAR….. In order to receive a certificate of participation for today’s webinar (1 CLU credit contingent upon the approval of your employing school system) you will need to type the following information into the chat pod at this time: Full name Parish you are representing Your complete email address Your certificate will be emailed to you by Friday afternoon; if you do not receive it, please email Wendy Allen wallen@lsu.edu

For the People First Language powerpoint and other resources, visit our website www.laspdg.org and click on the Family Engagement tab. The contents of this PowerPoint presentation were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H323A110003. However those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. @laspdg

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