www.laspdg.

org

Understanding the Use of

People First Language

Pamdora Williams, pwilli@lsu.edu

@laspdg
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 Words Matter
Sticks and stones may break
the bones, but words can make
a difference!
Goal: To develop awareness and sensitivity
to words that refer to individuals and their
disabilities.

Objectives:
• To gain knowledge about People First Language
• To gain skills to apply People First Language in
daily conversations
 Rate your knowledge of
People First Language (PFL)

0 - I have never heard of People First Language

1 - I have some knowledge of People First Language
2 - I have a good understanding of People First Language
WHAT IS PEOPLE FIRST LANGUAGE?
What is
People First Language?
Define:
People First Language (PFL) represents more respectful,
accurate ways of communicating with and about
individuals with disabilities.

People First Language emphasizes the person, not the

disability.
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/pfl-
sh09.pdf
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/pfl-
sh09.pdf
“Language is not only a means of
communication, but it shapes the way
people perceive and experience the world.”
Sherrill, 1993
Importance of
Language
Language influences:
• how people perceive each other
• how people perceive themselves

“Language Influences Perception!”

Is the statement True or False?

People First Language is about being

“politically correct”.

True False
Is the statement True or False?

People First Language sends the message

that individuals with disabilities are
more than a diagnosis.

True False
 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
REFRAMING TO PEOPLE FIRST
LANGUAGE
Reframing to
People First
Language

When reframing our language, the meaning

behind the phrase remains the same, but the
word choice is different.
Reframing to
People First
Language
Characteristics of People First Language:
– Acknowledges person before the disability
– Describes what diagnosis a person “has” but not
as who that person “is”
– Avoids descriptors that perpetuate negative
stereotypes
– Expresses the “needs” rather than the “problems”
 1- Acknowledge the person
before the disability

Typical Descriptor People First Language

An autistic person A person who has autism

 2- Describes what a person “has”,
not who that person “is”

Typical Descriptor People First Language

• He’s is a Down’s kid • A person who has Down
Syndrome
 3- Eliminate descriptors that
perpetuate negative stereotypes

Typical Descriptor People First Language

• She is mentally retarded • She has a cognitive

disability
 4- Expresses the “needs” rather than
the “problems”

Typical Descriptor People First Language

• He has behavior problems • He needs behavior supports

“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.”
“Maria is a first grade student in my class;
she has a diagnosis of autism.”

“Maria is a first grade student in my class;

she is autistic.”
How would you reframe these
statements?
People First Language Typical Descriptions
“LaToya is a LAA1 student”

“Miguel is mentally disturbed.”

“Clay is confined to a wheelchair this

year.”
“The school has made additional
spaces for handicapped parking.”
“Miguel has a mental health condition.”

“Miguel is emotionally disturbed.”

“LaToya is a student who takes the LAA1 test.”

“LaToya is a LAA1 student.”

“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.”
Article by Kathie Snow
 Jill Egle is an author, international speaker, and self-
advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eOBOAlQH54
Will You Take the Pledge?
Rate Your School
What Can I Do as a Teacher?

• Teach your students PFL - pledge

• Share with staff (watch webinar at www.laspdg.org under
(Inclusive Practices -- Webinars --- 2015-2016)
• Model People First Language with your co-workers, students
and parents/families
• Model People First Language during meetings
• Invite guest speakers to your class
• Help ensure your school’s written documents support PFL
• Have students bring in examples and non-examples used in
media (web, newspaper, magazine) & discuss
• Practice!
Think about other ways you can
share People First Language
with co-teachers,
administrators, and families.
For additional information, articles &
resources on People First Language….

www.disabilityisnatural.com/
http://www2.ku.edu/~lsi/news/fe
atured/guidelines.shtml
http://www.dads.state.tx.us/news_info/public
ations/brochures/respectfullanguage.pdf
https://www.louisianabelieves.com/academics
/students-with-disabilities
 References
Anthromike. (2011, December 5). People-First Language [Video file].
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ0pKPxoyHs

“People First Language.” Disability is Natural. Kathie Snow.

http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/ Retrieved 26 October 2015.

The Arc of Virginia. (2008, August 15). Can We Talk, Ben Stiller? [Video
file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eOBOAlQH54

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. (2013). Person First

Respectful Language. [PDF file]. Retrieved from
http://www.dads.state.tx.us/news_info/publications/brochures/respect
fullanguage.pdf

University of Kansas Life Span Institute. (2013). Guidelines: How to Write

and Report About People with Disabilities. [PDF file]. Retrieved from
http://rtcil.org/sites/rtcil.drupal.ku.edu/files/images/galleries/Guideli
nes%208th%20edition.pdf
Building Capacity
•When you leave today,
what will you do with this
information?
•How will you share it with
others in your district?
•When will you share it?
(Timeline)
 www.laspdg.org

Pamdora Williams pwilli@lsu.edu

The contents of this PowerPoint presentation were developed under a grant from the US
Department of Education, #H323A110003. However those contents do not necessarily
represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume
endorsement by the Federal Government.
 Reminder

-In order to receive a certificate for 1 CLU, you

must complete the online reflection at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/pt1pfl
before January 22, 2016