2/2006M. G. Werts Person First Language

2/2006M. G. Werts Labeling Labeling is the process of using descriptors to identify people who differ from the norm. However, normal is a relative term. Labeling is sometimes used to grant funding for a person with a disability. The label should never be the most important aspect used to describe a person as if the disability comprises the entire person.

2/2006M. G. Werts The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association suggests: “use disability to refer to an attribute of a person and handicap to refer to the source of limitations, which may include attitudinal, legal, and architectural barriers as well as the disability itself.”

2/2006M. G. Werts Avoid Terms of Tragedy Terms such as “afflicted with,” “suffers from,” or is a “victim of” create a helpless or incompetent image. The guiding principle when describing a disability should be to put the person first, then to describe the disability.

2/2006M. G. Werts Principles to use in writing and speaking Avoid grouping all individuals together in a disability category, i.e. “the blind.” For respectful discussion, put the person before the disability. Say the “person who is deaf” or “people who are deaf,” not “the deaf person” or “the deaf.” Avoid comparisons between a person with a disability and a person without a disability. Avoid using negative terms such as “suffers from.”

2/2006M. G. Werts Accuracy almost always helps more than euphemism. Thus, “wheelchair more factual as well as dignity-affirming than “wheelchair-bound person.” Avoid trendy euphemisms such as “physically challenged” and “handi-capable,” which many people with disabilities see as patronizing and inaccurate. Avoid using terms that turn the disability into a personal noun (epileptic or spastic). Avoid terms that indicate pity (how awful he is losing his hearing) or relegate the person to an inferior status (he cannot talk on the phone because he is deaf).

2/2006M. G. Werts Disability vs. Handicap Disability is a “physical, sensory, or mental condition that substantially limits one or more of a person’s life activities.” A handicap, in contrast, is a “barrier or problem created by society or the environment.” –Thus say, “The stairs in that building will be a handicap for John, who uses a wheelchair,” but not, “John is handicapped and can’t use the stairs.”