Eductionally, what is "people-first terminology"?

Answer 1

During my graduate courses in special education this phrase came up a lot. It means puttingthe person before the disability and is becoming a HUGE thing. In every class it was stressed repeatedly to always use people first terminology. For example, I wouldn't say "The autistic boy" - I would say "The boy with autism." I wouldn't say "the blind man has a seeing eye dog" I would say "the man with a visual impairment has a seeing eye dog." I wouldn't say "the dyslexic boy needs his tests read to him" I would say "the boy with dyslexia tends to perform better when his tests are read orally."

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

In the English language we use the forms of the verb "to be" in places that other languages use the verb "to have." This creates ambiguity and confusion about the distinction between the subject and the object of a sentence. This confusion enhanced prejudice and discrimination. In fact, it is discriminatory and exclusionary language.

For example, we can speak of a person being blind by using each of these stative verbs, "to be" or "to have:" He is a blind person. He is a person who has blindness. The former is more common in our society where people are labeled and become indistinguishable from their labels.

We all need to change this practice by saying "Jane has autism," rather than "Jane is autistic." That is putting the person first, as the only subject. The disability then becomes the separate object of our statements and Jane is able to retain her inclusive humanity.

Speaking of disabilities in this manner, places them on the same level that we commonly speak of more generalized diseases. We say "Frank has a cold." We do not say "Frank is a cold student." When we use this mode of expression for all disabilities, as we do for other diseases, then our society will be acknowledging the person as having more value and essence than a particular condition.

Answer 3

My understanding of people first terminology is less use of labels that describe a disabilty or condition in such a way that equates the person with the diagnosis. Use of a less stigmatizing descriptor is recommended. A person with a cognitive disability, not Jack sufferes from mental retardation.