Speaking With Awareness: People-First Language

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Speaking With Awareness: " People-First " Language

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Language shapes the way those around us speak and act toward one

another and conveys the respect we have for others. The use of

appropriate language about people with disabilities can be an

important tool in building a community that accepts all people.

Appropriate language is both sensitive and accurate. VSA arts

promotes the use of " people-first " language — language that puts the

focus on the individual, rather than on a disability. " People-first "

language helps us remember that people are unique individuals and

that their abilities or disabilities are only part of who they are.

Table 1: List of Affirmative and Negative Phrases Affirmative Phrase

Negative Phrase

Person with a disability -- The disabled; handicapped; crippled;

suffers from a disability

Person who is blind; person with a visual impairment -- The blind

Person who is deaf; person with a hearing impairment -- The deaf;

deaf and dumb; suffers a hearing loss

Person with mental illness -- Crazy; psycho; lunatic

Person with mental retardation -- Retarded; mentally defective

Person who uses a wheelchair -- Confined or restricted to a

wheelchair; wheelchair bound

Person with a physical disability; person with a mobility impairment -

- Cripple; lame; handicapped; deformed

Suggestions To Improve Access and Positive Interactions

Avoid euphemisms such as " physically challenged, " " special

needs, " " differently abled " and " handicapable. " Many disability

groups object to these phrases because they are considered

condescending and reinforce the idea that disabilities cannot be

spoken of in an upfront and direct manner.

Do not sensationalize a disability by using terms such as " afflicted

with, " " suffers from " or " crippled with. " These expressions are

considered offensive and inaccurate to people with disabilities.

When referring to people who use wheelchairs, avoid terms such

as " wheelchair bound " or " confined to a wheelchair. " Wheelchairs do

not confine people with disabilities. They provide freedom of

movement to assist individuals in traveling throughout the community.

When writing or speaking about people with disabilities, emphasize

abilities rather than limitations, focusing on a person's

accomplishments, creative talents or skills. This guideline does not

mean avoiding mention of a person's disability, but doing so in a

respectful manner and only when relevant to the situation.