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The Difference Between Identity-First and Person-First Language

Molly O'Hara
Aug 26, 2024
0 min read

First page, green background. Reads the difference between Identity-first and person-first language. What those terms mean, why they are important, and which one to use.

Second slide, cartoon of man on chair, titled Person-First Language. Says Person-first language came from a movement in the 1970's by disability rights activists. Person-first argued that the person is seperate from and not defined by their disability. So individuals with disabilities rather than disabled individual.

third slide, cartoon of woman talking, titled Identity-first language. Says identity first language is a more recent movement that started within disabled communities. It's intended to recognize that the disability is center to who that person is, that it has shaped how they experience life and interact with the world. Many people find it empowering. So, autistic person rather than person with autism.

Fourth slide, titled Both are important. Says, Prior to the person-first moevemtn, disabled individuals (particularly those who could not present "normally") were identified by their disability and nothing else. The person-first movement was instrumental in changing how people viewed those with disbilities. However, the identity first movement is imperative for many individuals in recognizing that their disability is entwined with their personhood. It can be empowering, for the person using it and their community

Fifth slide, two cartoon women talking with speech bubbles. The first woman says, "so how do I know which to use?" The second woman says, "identity first is preferred by many disabled people, but the best thing you can do is ask!"

Sixth slide. Says at SEAS of UV I have chosen to use identity-first language as it is often the preferred language for disabled people. However, I also make a point to respect and honor those who prefer person-first, and will use that with those individuals. Special Education Advocacy Service of the Upper Valley. SEAS of UV. www.seasofuv.com Serving New hampshire and Vermont

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molly@seasofuv.com

Special Education Advocacy Services of the Upper Valley, LLC

Enfield, NH

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