The language which people use when talking about people with disabilities is so important, in order to place people in a positive light. The People First Language does what it suggests and puts people first. Terms like 'disabled people' are replaced with 'people with disabilities'. The reason for this is because people are the main focus and this implies that they are equal citizens of society; plus, it emphasises the people, not their disabilities.

Many labels, such as the term "sufferer" used for disability can be perceived a negative attribute and attracts pitying. Below are two lists of terms to use and not to use.

Preferred Terms	Terms to avoid
Someone with a disability	Handicapped person
Person uses a wheelchair or is a wheelchair user	Wheelchair-bound
Person has a hearing impairment	Deaf person
Someone who has no speech	Mute
People with physical disabilities	The disabled
People with visual impairment	Visual impaired
Having Cerebral Palsy	Suffered from Cerebral Palsy

In one of our workshops (The Public and Disability), we discuss this phenomena further with a full justification why we have this view.

We share this 'people first' view with organisations, such as the World Health Organisation, United Cerebral Palsy, Disability is Natural, and UNICEF,

Below is a list of websites you can read more on the People First language

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Person-first_terminology

http://www.answers4families.org/professional/services-coordinators/professional-development/people-first-language

http://www.ucp.org/ucp_channeldoc.cfm/1/13/12632/12632-12632/6186

http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/index.php?page=language

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20090329/NEWS/903299993

http://www.txddc.state.tx.us/resources/publications/pfanguage.asp

http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/comucate.htm