Terms such as these can be dehumanizing and perpetuate negative stereotypes about people with disabilities. The following are some suggestions to help you in your use of person first language. A disability is a body function that operates differently. As we interact with and meet people with disabilities in our daily lives, our actions speak volumes about our value system. The following are suggestions to help you reflect your respect for the abilities, talents, and dignity of people with disabilities.
Tips Give a person who has a disability the opportunity to succeed or fail, just like anyone else.
Use a normal tone of voice. Ask before helping a person with a disability. Treat a person who has a disability as a healthy person. A person with a disability is not automatically unhealthy. Give a person with a disability the same respect you would give to a person without a disability.