What if you had an extremely large nose and every time someone saw or referred to you, he or she did not show you the dignity of referring to you as a person first? Instead, it was all about your nose. Sounds rude, doesn’t it? Yet this happens often when people don’t know or use People First Language (PFL).
Originally, I planned to focus on how people with disabilities deal with others not using People First Language. And while I learned those of us with disabilities are also guilty of not being diligent about using PFL, I believe people with disabilities are affected most by the lack of it.
I’ve experienced this personally. Recently, I was at a function where a family member was giving me accolades for being a community contributing writer for the Dayton Daily News. I could truly tell he was proud of my success, but then it happened.
“She writes about what handicapped people need,” the family member said to another.
I cringed; anyone who knows me, know I hate the H word! At first, I started to “accidentally” run over his foot and then give him a few choice words that weren’t going to be at all nice.
Then I thought, perhaps that’s the only word he had ever been taught when referring to people with disabilities. After all, he’s an older family member, and probably back in his days of growing up, the H word was acceptable. I’m still not happy with what he said, but I am aware some things are generational and some are just stuck in the past.
Education about PFL is key. It means putting the person before his or her disability. Another part of People First Language is to make people aware that words such as “handicapped” and “mentally retarded” carry a negative stigma, and encourage people to stop using them. Today, these words have been banned from many organizations and replaced by words of empowerment to promote dignity and independence.
I totally agree with the use of People First Language, but some people with disabilities don’t.
“Though person-first language is designed to promote respect, the concept is based on the idea that disability is something negative, something that you shouldn’t want to see” according to disability rights writer and activist Cara Liebowitz.
Some believe People First Language should not be a big deal, because having a disability is a part of who they are. One can make the argument that denouncing your disability is like saying you’re ashamed of it. Unlike other cultures, many in the deaf community would tell you to celebrate their culture, for they prefer to be called deaf and are proud of it.
It’s different strokes for different folks when it comes to use of People First Language. I have a disability and I would never denounce it, for it’s a big part of who I am. I still choose not to give my disability power with words that don’t focus on my humanity. Advocate for the use of People First Language to let it be known no matter what your ability, you still deserve to be treated with respect as a person first.