KYPT - Communication

Person First Language

You would think words (a mere arrangement of letters) would be harmless. But how many times have you been offended, hurt, or deeply saddened by something somebody has said to you? Or maybe when somebody has called you a nasty name? Words are extremely powerful. Words alone have the power to hurt people. They have the ability to create negative stereotypes and attitudinal barriers. Think of it this way: People with disabilities are the only minority group in which anybody can join at any time. Should you become a member of this community, how would you want to be referred to?

So what exactly is “Person First Language?” It is simply the act of putting the person before the disability. It also describes what a person has, not what a person is. For example, it would be inappropriate to say “She is retarded.” Instead, use people first language to say, “She has a cognitive disability,” or, “she has an intellectual disability.” Below are more examples of people first language.

Instead of:	Say:
The handicapped or disabled	People with disabilities
He’s autistic.	He has autism.
She is learning disabled.	She has a learning disability.
She is a quadriplegic.	She has a physical disability.
He is confined to a wheelchair.	He uses a wheelchair.

Some of the terms that are still used in our society are archaic and offensive. For instance, “handicapped” and “crippled” are inappropriate terms that still get thrown around quite a bit. These are derogatory terms that can evoke pity, fear, or even disgust. Another inappropriate descriptor is “disabled.” This term refers to something that is broken down (such as a disabled vehicle). People with disabilities are not broken! By using inappropriate language—language that is not people first—we are labeling people according to their disability. Labeling can have an extremely stigmatizing effect on people and those labels tend to stay with them for a long time. Just remember, labeling people leads to harmful portrayals and stereotypes. The only label a person—any person—should ever have is their name!

*ACTIVITY*

Write a reflection piece in which you imagine you are a person with a disability. The disability you will “have” is your choice. Below are some guidelines and ideas that you may wish to write or think about.

1) Briefly describe what disability you have chosen.
2) How would having this disability affect your life (school, work, extra-curricular activities, social life)?
3) How would you want, or expect, to be treated?
4) How would you want others to refer to your disability?
5) Would you feel you had more in common with other people with disabilities, or your family and friends without disabilities?
6) What kinds of accommodations or supports do you think you would need to go to school, go to work, and live and get around in the community?

Link to next section Stereotypes, Myths, and Facts

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