New Special Education Teacher Webinar Series Series of 3 webinars – November 13, 2013: People First Language – December 11, 2013: Paraprofessionals in Inclusive Settings – January 22, 2014: Overview of Inclusive Practices CLU credit for each webinar attended

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: – First and last name (if you did not specify this when you logged into the webinar) – Parish you are representing – Your complete address Your certificate will be ed to you by Friday afternoon; if you do not receive it, please Wendy Allen

Understanding the Use of People First Language New Special Education Teacher Webinar Series Part 1 Presented by Pamdora Williams, LaSPDG

Considerations This webinar is being recorded and will be available for viewing at under Inclusive Practices Webinars If you need to ask a question, please use the Chat Pod on your screen (NOTE: everyone can see your question) You can download all of today’s materials in the FILES 2 Pod on your screen at any time during the presentation – Click on the selected file – Choose “SAVE TO MY COMPUTER” – Select the destination where you would like to save the file

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!

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

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

Language Influences Our Perceptions “Language is not only a means of communication, but it shapes the way people perceive and experience the world.” Sherrill, 1993

People First Language Kathie Snow. (n.d.) A few words about People First Language. Disability is Natural. Retrieved August 1, 2012 from When reframing our language, the meaning behind the phrase remains the same, but the word choice is different. People First Language: – Acknowledges person before the disability – Describes what diagnosis a person “has” but not as who that person “is” – Avoids descriptors that perpetuate negative stereotypes “People First Language reflects good manners, not ‘political correctness’ and it was started by individuals who said ‘We are not our disabilities’.”

Let’s take a poll…. Which statement uses People First Language correctly? She is a Sped student. She receives special education services.

Which statement uses People First Language correctly? She is a sped/inclusion student. She receives special education services.

Video of People First Language 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.

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

“Maria is a first grade student in my class; she is autistic.” “Maria is a first grade student in my class; she has a diagnosis of autism.”

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

“Clay is confined to a wheelchair this year.” “Clay will utilize a wheelchair this year.”

“The school has made additional spaces for handicapped parking.” “The school has made additional spaces for accessible parking.”

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

“Miguel is emotionally disturbed.” “Miguel has a mental health condition.”

“LaToya is a LAA1 student.” “LaToya is a student who takes the LAA1 test.”

Article by Kathie Snow

Jill Egle is an author, international speaker, and self- advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Will You Take the Pledge?

Let’s take a poll….

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 under (Inclusive Practices -- Webinars ) 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

Resources People First Language Webinar Disability Is Natural communication communication Family to Family Network resources/people-first-language resources/people-first-language Brochure es/respectfullanguage.pdf es/respectfullanguage.pdf I’m Tyler You tube Jill Egle US Department of Labor

Questions? After this webinar, you may any questions to Pamdora Williams

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: – First and last name (if you did not specify this when you logged into the webinar) – Parish you are representing – Your complete address Your certificate will be ed to you by Friday afternoon; if you do not receive it, please Wendy Allen

The contents of this PowerPoint presentation were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H323A 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.

We Want Your Feedback! At this time we will launch the brief survey to complete regarding this webinar If the survey does not appear on your screen or if you have pop up blockers enabled, you can go directly to it at After you have completed the survey, you may exit the webinar