People First
Language
LaSPDG is a federal grant of the Louisiana Department of Education funded by
Office of Special Education Programs
Sticks & Stones
Think back to a time when
someone hurt you with verbal
sticks and stones. Choose 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 the 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
People First
Language
“People First Language puts the person before the disability and
describes what a person has, not who a person is.”
“Old and inaccurate descriptors perpetuate negative stereotypes
and generate an incredibly powerful attitudinal barrier – the
greatest obstacle facing individuals with disabilities.”
“People First Language reflects good manners, not ‘political
correctness’ and it was started by individuals who said ‘We are not
our disabilities’.”
Kathie Snow. (n.d.) A few words about People First Language. Disability is Natural.
Retrieved August 1, 2012 from http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PDF/pflsh09.pdf
People First
Language
I WILL SAY:
INSTEAD OF:
People with disabilities.
Handicapped/disabled
Cognitive or intellectual disability
Mental retardation
Mike has autism
Mike is autistic
Accessible parking
Handicapped parking
“Language tends to shape beliefs about a person’s potential needs and desires “
[Hutchinson and McGill, 1992].
The language we use influences the way we see people and the way they see themselves.
Video of People First Language
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ0pKPxoyHs
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
Jill Egle is an author, international speaker, and selfadvocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
https://vimeo.com/43469334
“Say This, Not That”
• Small groups of 2-4 people or individually
• Read the statement and identify the problem
• Using People First Language, generate a better way
to say the statement
• Be prepared to share with the whole group
“I am the inclusion teacher and will have
the students with disabilities in my class
this year.”
“I am the inclusion teacher and will have
the sped kids in my class this year.”
“Molly is a first grade student in my class;
she has a diagnosis of autism.”
“Molly is a first grade student in my class;
she is autistic.”
“Bryant receives special education services
and will be a part of the basketball team
this year.”
“Bryant is in special ed. and will be a part
of the basketball team this year.”
“Clay will utilize a wheelchair this year.”
“Clay is confined to a wheelchair this
year.”
“The school has made additional spaces
for accessible parking.”
“The school has made additional spaces
for handicapped parking.”
“Mrs. Jones will be teaching students without
disabilities rather than students receiving special
education services.”
“Mrs. Jones will be teaching normal students
rather than students receiving special education
services.”
“John communicates with
his eyes/devices/etc.”
“John is non-verbal.”
“Bill is a student who takes
the LAA1 test.”
“Bill is a LAA1 student.”
THANK YOU!!!!
For the People First Language powerpoint
and other resources, visit our website
www.laspdg.org and click on the Family
Engagement tab.
The contents of this activity were developed under a grant
from the U.S. Department of Education, #H323A110003.
However, those contents do not necessarily represent the
policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should
not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.