Respond HW

THIIIK BEFORE YOU SPSAK Person First Languagc

People with disabilities "created" People First Language in the 1970's when they made a strong statement to society that, "We axe not our disabilities. We are people first." Person First Language is just that: it puts the person first before the disability. This type of language re{lects our respect towards individuals and people * rather than their diagnoses. Using the tern, "people with disabilities" is more respectful and &ccurate ratherthan uiing "disabled people" or "the disabled" when speaking or uniting.

Say or write: A person with a disability Instead ofa disabled Person

Say or write: A person with cerebral palsy Instead of spestic

Say or write: A person with mental retardation Instead of a mentally retarded person, or "rstard"

Say or write: A person with a seizure disorder In$tead of an ePilePtic

Say or write: A person with Down Syndrome Instead of mongoloid

Say or write: A person without speeoh or nonverbal Instead of mute or dumb

Say or writel A person with developmental delays Instead of slow, dumb, or stuPid

Say or write: A person with mental illness or emotional disorder Instead ofcrazy or insane

Say or write: A person with a learning disability Instead of a learning disabled perso$

$ay or write: A person who uses a wheelchair Iastead ofwheelohair bound or "confined" tQ awheelchair

Say or write; A person with a physical disability Instead of crippled, lame or paralytic.

Do not use the word "handicap". The "H-word" has origins in a game that implied a

disadvantage. Disability in and of itself does not constitute a disadvantage" Disability is

not a fate worse than death. Do not speak or write about it as though it were' .. '

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