People First Language

People First Language is just what it sounds like- putting the person first in describing a person with disabilities. Examples would include saying:

• person with a disability vs. disabled person


• woman with a developmental disability, man with a cognitive disability vs. mentally retarded man/woman


• 'He has Down Syndrome vs. 'He is Downs'


• 'She has a learning disability' vs. 'She's learning disabled'


• woman with a mental illness, man who has Schizophrenia' vs. 'She's mentally ill, He's schizophrenic'


• man who uses a wheelchair vs. wheelchair-bound, confined to a wheelchair

Important to note: People First Language is not law. Some people with disabilities do not use this language, or at least some aspects of it.

I actually use People First Language for myself, even more than for those I don't want to offend. I am predisposed, you see, to see the weakness first in the people around me, and, therefore, I limit people in my own prejudices regarding disability, race, height, you name it. Using People First Language has helped me differentiate between the people around me and their weaknesses (and strengths).