People-First Language

People-First Language - YouTube

Please watch the video before reading the rest of this post.

It is so important for people to realize how important this is. Speaking with people-first language is more than just being "correct". It is acknowledging that every person is important as a person before anything else. Whether or not a person has a disability does not change the fact that they are a person. People often talk to me about my brothers as if they are not there right in front of them. I always make a point to include them in the conversation we're having. They understand what people are saying, they know what is going on around them. They like being included, not being talked about in the third-person when they are right there. Yes, they may need a little help from some of us who know them better to communicate back, but they know exactly what is going on around them. They know when you are upset over something. They answer questions. They listen. They give advice. They can talk with special computers called a dynavox. They love sports and art. They love music and movies. They know when you are talking about them. So does everyone else, including people who have a disability or special need or handicap. I hope that this video helps more people understand how important it is to make sure you put the person first, not just in your language, but also when you get to know them. Someone might have a disability, but they can also be defined by other things like "Angel Baseball Fan" as well. Get to know the person and all the things that describe them, not just the disability, because NO ONE is just a disability.