People First Language

1. People First Language LaSPDG is a federal grant of the Louisiana Department of Education funded by Office of Special Education Programs

2. Sticks & Stones Think back to a time when someone hurt you with verbal sticks and stones. Choose a word/phrase to describe how that impacted you.

3. Sticks & Stones Sticks and stones may break the bones, but words CAN and DO HURT!

4. Goal: To develop awareness and sensitivity to words that refer to individuals and their disabilities. • Objectives: • To understand the importance of the words chosen when referring to individuals with disabilities • To become aware of statements that represent People First Language • To apply People First Language to non-examples

5. 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

6. People First Language INSTEAD OF: Handicapped/disabled Mental retardation Mike is autistic Handicapped parking I WILL SAY: People with disabilities. Cognitive or intellectual disability Mike has autism Accessible parking “Language tends to shape beliefs about a person’s potential needs and desires “ [Hutchinson and McGill, 1992]. The language we use influences the way we see people and the way they see themselves.

8. 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

9. Jill Egle is an author, international speaker, and self-advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities. https://vimeo.com/43469334

10. “Say This, Not That” • Small groups of 2-4 people or individually • Read the statement and identify the problem • Using People First Language, generate a better way to say the statement • Be prepared to share with the whole group

11. SAY “I am the inclusion teacher and will have the sped kids in my class this year.” “I am the inclusion teacher and will have the students with disabilities in my class this year.” INSTEAD OF

12. “Molly is a first grade student in my class; she is autistic.” SAY “Molly is a first grade student in my class; she has a diagnosis of autism.” INSTEAD OF

13. “Bryant is in special ed. and will be a part of the basketball team this year.” SAY “Bryant receives special education services and will be a part of the basketball team this year.” INSTEAD OF

14. “Clay is confined to a wheelchair this year.” SAY “Clay will utilize a wheelchair this year.” INSTEAD OF

15. “The school has made additional spaces for handicapped parking.” SAY “The school has made additional spaces for accessible parking.” INSTEAD OF

16. “Mrs. Jones will be teaching normal students rather than students receiving special education services.” SAY “Mrs. Jones will be teaching students without disabilities rather than students receiving special education services.” INSTEAD OF

17. SAY “John communicates with his eyes/devices/etc.” “John is non-verbal.” INSTEAD OF

18. SAY “Bill is a student who takes the LAA1 test.” “Bill is a LAA1 student.” INSTEAD OF

19. How People First Friendly is your school? 10 Best….1 Worst

21. What can you do to Spread People First Language?

22. THANK YOU!!!! For the People First Language powerpoint and other resources, visit our website www.laspdg.org and click on the Family Engagement tab. The contents of this activity were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, #H323A110003. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.