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Person First: A Lexicon Affirming Those with Disabilities on College Campuses

As greater numbers of persons with disabilities take advantage of the opportunities open to them in higher education, it becomes increasingly important that colleges and universities promote an environment that is positive for persons with disabilities. One of the strongest and easiest ways is appropriate language usage.

The recommended manner is known as "person first" language. This means that the person is emphasized first, the disability second. For example:

Use: person with a disability                                                                     

Not: disabled or handicapped person

Use: individual without speech                                                                

Not: mute, dumb

Use: woman who is blind or has a visual disability

Not: blind woman or "the blind"

Use: student who is deaf or hard of hearing                    

Not: deaf student or "the deaf"*

Use: man with paraplegia                                                                             

Not: paraplegic

Use: woman who is paralyzed                                                                   

Not: paralyzed woman

Use: individual with epilepsy                                                                    

Not: epileptic

Use: student who has a learning disability or specific learning disability

Not: slow learner, retarded, learning disabled

Use: person with a mental disability, cognitive impairment           

Not: crazy, demented, insane

Use: person with a developmental disability                                        

Not: mentally retarded

Use: congenital disability                                                                            

Not: birth defect

It is important to describe the person, not the disability. Persons without disabilities should be referred to as "nondisabled," not "normal" or "able-bodied."

Rather than using words such as "confined," "bound," "restricted," or "dependent," the most appropriate phrasing is "a person who uses a wheelchair" or "a person who walks with crutches." Again, the emphasis is on the person.

The word "handicap" should only be used in reference to a condition or a physical barrier. Reference should not be made to the person as being handicapped. Examples include: "The stairs are a handicap for her," or "He is handicapped by the inaccessible bus."

It is important to avoid labeling or group categorizations that begin with "the," i.e. "the disabled," "the deaf," "the blind." Also to be avoided are euphemisms such as "the physically challenged," "partially sighted," "handicapable," and "special." The use of the word "disabled" is discouraged without referring to the person first.

Prepared by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. 8/92

*As with an rule, there is an exception.  In this case, persons who consider themselved to be culturally "Deaf" do not consider themselves as having a disability.  In Deaf culture, the preferred and appropriate term is simply "Deaf."