How to use Person First Language

PERSON FIRST LANGUAGE
Remember that when it comes to a person with a disability, the person comes first then the disability. With Person First Language it is implied that person has a disability, and is not A disability. Here are some commonly misused terms.

USE: Person with a mental disability, cognitive disability
INSTEAD OF: retard

USE: The person with a physical disability
INSTEAD OF: Handicapped, disabled, crippled, down

USE: A person with autism
INSTEAD OF: She’s autistic

USE: He receives special ed services
INSTEAD OF: He’s in special ed/special education student

USE: A person of short stature or has dwarfism
INSTEAD OF: She’s a dwarf/midget/little person

USE: Brain Injury
INSTEAD OF: Brain Damaged

USE: Accessible parking, hotel, etc.
INSTEAD OF: Handicapped parking, hotel room, etc.

USE: Person living with HIV/ AIDS
ISTEAD OF: HIV/AIDS patients or victim

USE: A person with a mental health condition
INSTEAD OF: emotionally disturbed/mentally ill/ crazy

USE: She’s a person with a developmental delay
INSTEAD OF: She is developmentally delayed

USE: normal/healthy/ typical children
INSTEAD OF: children without disabilities

USE: That person communicates with his/her eyes/ devices etc.
INSTEAD OF: Non-verbal





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