Language Shapes Attitudes Around Disabilities
Whether saying a person ‘is disabled’ or ‘has a disability’ might seem like a small distinction. But the words we choose matter. Words have the power to shape attitudes.
March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn from and about people with disabilities.
Inside the disability community, there are differing views among individuals, families and advocates about the use of people-first or identity-first language. While people might prefer one over the other, neither is “wrong.” The ultimate goal is to achieve a culture that understands and accepts people with disabilities.
People-First Language
For a long time, people-first language has been the norm. According to a history on the National Institute of Health site, the movement began in 1974 at the first self-advocacy conference held in the United States. People-first language puts the person before their disability. Think phrases like “a person with a disability” or “a person with autism.” Those who prefer people-first language want to emphasize that the person is more than their disability.
The preference for people-first language is more common with people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Supporting reasons include:
- Many people still see disability as something negative and people-first language affirms their innate humanity, whatever challenges they may face.
- People-first language is destigmatizing, because it is merely a description, not an identity; it is not common to say “a blonde-haired person” or “freckled person.” Instead, it is “she has blonde hair” or “he has freckles.”
- In the past, people with disabilities were often referred to only by their disability, denying their individuality and uniqueness. People-first language rejects that impulse.
Identity-First Language
Identity-first language has been advocated by some for decades. Identity-first language places the disability at the front of the description, such as “a disabled person” or “an autistic person.” Those who prefer identity-first language want to emphasize that the disability is core to who they are as a person and is not an “add-on.”
Among those with disabilities, autistic people, deaf people and blind people more commonly prefer identity-first language. There are a number of supporting reasons they share:
- A “person with” can suggest that the person can be separated from the disability. Autism, blindness, and deafness are not disabling conditions, but instead meaningful conditions that shape the person’s way of interacting with and understanding the world.
- Identity-first language suggests pride in who the person is, instead of suggesting they would be more whole without the disability or condition.
One author notes identity-first language is founded on a social model of disability, where inaccessibility of society is the actual disabling factor in a person’s life.
Whether using people-first language or identity-first language, both ways of speaking point toward full respect and recognition of people, regardless of their conditions or abilities.
When in doubt about a person’s preference, ask the question or simply use the person’s name unless more information is essential to the context.