2.5: Person-First and Identity-First Language
- Page ID
- 224802
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Image Source: LunaRose, WikiHow
Fig. 2.5 Cute cartoon graphic depicting children with various disabilities.
Person-First or Identity-First Language?
Language is a powerful tool that can change perceptions and attitudes, and prevent stereotyping or dismissing people with disabilities
Person-first language recognizes the person before their disability. Person-first language can offset outdated stigmas by emphasizing people with disabilities are first and foremost human beings who happen to have a disability. The use of person-first language prioritizes the same respectful treatment as people without disabilities. In many settings person-first language is the preferred method of referring to individuals with disabilities. Many parents of children with disabilities prefer person-first language, because they do see their child first, and not their child's disability.
Identify-first language recognizes that the disability is an important part of a person's identity and often aligns with a larger community they are part of. Some disability communities, such as Autistic and Deaf communities, will primarily use identity-first language, and may not to consider themselves disabled at all, just neurodiverse. The Deaf community in the U.S. shares a language—American Sign Language—and a culture. Others in the Autism community, including parents of children with autism, prefer person-first language.
Child-Centered Language
In general, when speaking about children who have disabilities, child-centered language can help everyone to see and address the child first, rather than their disability. However, disability can be an important part of a child’s identity. Take the time to find out how children see themselves or prefer to talk about themselves. This will establish a relationship based on recognition and respect for the individual child.
Inclusion and Language
Inclusion mean respecting the individual person's choice of language they use about themselves.
Sources
- Brown, Lydia. "Why Language Matters: Identity first versus Person first language." FullSpectrumChildcare.com. Sept. 2, 2020.
- Hellfeld, Laura. "Getting the Language Right." Medium.com. March 7, 2023.
- Okundaye, Jevon . "Ask a Self-Advocate: The Pros and Cons of Person-First and Identity-First Language." Massachusetts Advocates for Children. April 23, 2021.
- Woolbridge, Shannon. "Writing Respectfully: Person-First and Identity-First Language." National Institutes of Health. April 12, 2023