FAQ Friday: A Final Word (Be Careful of the Words you Use)

  (Featured in Marshallese on Youtube "Naan, Kejbarok am konaan ienwotemjej einwot ke "naan" ekajoor im ekkan jen jajje", go to this link to view the video in that language: http://youtu.be/umleZNHDaZ4)

The Following are Examples of the Do's and Don'ts of People First Language.

Once again, put the person first when writing or speaking about individuals with disabilities! Stay away from labelsl ike the blind, the deaf, or the disabled. They do not reflect the individuality, equality, or dignity of individuals with disabilities. So, with this in mind, when referring to an individual with a disability...

Say or write this... instead of this!

• She is an individual with a disability INSTEAD OF She is handicapped or disabled.
• He is an individual with a disability INSTEAD OF He is able-bodied.
• They are children (kids) without disabilities INSTEAD OF They are normal or healthy children (kids).
• He is an individual with a cognitive disability INSTEAD OF He's the R word.
• She is an individual with autism INSTEAD OF She's Autistic.
• He needs behavior supports INSTEAD OF He has behavior Problems.
• She is an individual with a learning disability INSTEAD OF she's learning disabled.
• He uses a wheelchair INSTEAD OF He's confined to a wheelchair.
• She has a physical disability INSTEAD OF She's a quadriplegic or a cripple.
• He has a brain injury INSTEAD OF He's brain damaged.
• She has a congenital disability INSTEAD OF She suffers from a birth defect.
• He is an individual with an intellectual disability INSTEAD OF He's the R word or mentally defective.
• She is an individual who is blind or visually impaired INSTEAD OF The Blind.
• He is an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing INSTEAD OF He suffers a hearing loss or from being deaf.
  
• She is an individual with (or who has multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy INSTEAD OF She is afflicted by MS or MD.
• He is an individual with cerebral palsy INSTEAD OF He is a victim of CP.
• She is an individual with epilepsy INSTEAD OF She is an epileptic.
• He is an individual  with a psychiatric disability INSTEAD OF He is crazy, nuts, etc.
• She is an individual who no longer lives in an institution INSTEAD OF She is deinstitutionalized.
• He is an individual who uses an assistive speech device or is unable to speak INSTEAD OF He is dumb or a mute.

- Arkansas Governor's DD Council
www.ddcouncil.org

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