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People-First Language
People-first or person-first language is a way of describing someone’s disability or impairment by putting the “person” before the “disability.” For example, person-first language would use the phrase child with dyslexia instead of dyslexic child. This entry offers common examples, critiques of, and alternatives to people-first language.
Common Examples of People-First Language
The purpose of people-first language is to promote the idea that a person is much more than his or her disability. Examples of people-first versus non-people-first language include the following:
| Person First | Non–Person First |
| Person with a disability | Disabled person; handicapped person |
| A child with autism | An autistic child |
| An adult with Down syndrome | A mongoloid; a Down syndrome person |
| A child with depression | A depressive; a manic-depressive |
| Accessible parking; accessible bathrooms | Handicapped parking; handicapped bathroom stall |
| She receives special education services | She’s a special ed. kid; he’s a ... |
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