As an education major, you take lots of courses learning different techniques to help ensure that your future students learn. In my case, I am double majoring in special education and elementary education. In my first course regarding special education, Introduction to Special Education: A Civil Rights Movement, my professor brought to my attention that the way we talk will change throughout this course.
My professor said, “People with disabilities are people, first and foremost.” The class agreed and then my professor asked, “Then why do we disabled person?”
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The whole class was confused, didn’t he say the same thing twice, just a different way?
I didn’t know it at the time but my instructor had just introduced People First Language to me and my class. People First Language seeks to put people first and their disability second. It’s that simple. It’s the way we talk. However the way we talk says a lot about us. Do we have an accent? Do we use big words? Do we know why People First Language is so important?
People First Language reminds us that people come first - not their disability. We should say, "a person with a down syndrome, or a person with autism." People First Language reminds us that we are all human. We all have the same responsibilities to one another; to love and protect one another.
Since that course I have been on the lookout for People First Language. Whether I’m looking on Facebook or in textbooks, I'm keeping an eye out if people are using People First Language. I'm looking to educate people if they do not know what People First Language is and why it is important.
Was my professor correct? Did the way I talk change throughout his course? Absolutely. I use People First Language.
Did my professor say the same thing twice, just a different way? He did, but in one sentence he put the person first and in the other he put their disability first.
My professors’ question still stands; why do we say disabled person? The conclusion that I have come to is that people are unaware what People First Language is. That is why I look for People First Language to ensure that generations to come understand the importance of it and continue to use it throughout their lives. I encourage you to do the same.
