The Problem with Person-First Language

By Cat Maness, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and disabled person

Introduction

When discussing disability, language matters. The words we use to describe disabled individuals can empower or harm them. One language trend that has gained popularity in recent years is Person-First Language (PFL), which prioritizes the person over their disability, such as saying "person with a disability" instead of "disabled person." PFL was created to promote respect and equality, but it has also been met with controversy. Some disability advocates argue that PFL can be disempowering and reinforce negative stereotypes. In this article, we will examine the problem with Person-First Language when discussing disability, explore the arguments against it, and propose an alternative approach that affirms the identities of disabled individuals.

Definition of Person-First Language

Person-First Language (PFL) is a linguistic approach that emphasizes the person first, rather than their disability or other characteristics. It involves placing the individual before the disability or condition they have, such as using phrases like "person with a disability" instead of "disabled person" or "person who uses a wheelchair" instead of "wheelchair user." PFL intends to recognize individuals as unique human beings with their own identities rather than defining them by their disability or any other attribute.

Why Person-First Language Was Created

Person-First Language (PFL) was created by disability advocates and professionals in the 1980s as a way to promote respectful and empowering language when referring to disabled individuals. The origins of PFL can be traced back to the Disability Rights Movement, which emerged in the 1960s and 70s and called for equal rights and opportunities for disabled people. One of the goals of the movement was to challenge negative stereotypes and societal attitudes towards disability. PFL was seen as a way to shift the focus away from the disability and towards the person, emphasizing their inherent worth and dignity. The idea behind PFL is to promote inclusive and respectful language that recognizes the person as an individual first, rather than defining them solely by their disability or medical condition. PFL has been widely adopted in many fields, including healthcare, education, and advocacy, as an attempt at promoting positive attitudes towards disabled individuals.

Arguments Against Person-First Language

While Person-First Language (PFL) was created with good intentions, it has also been met with controversy within the disability community. Some disability advocates argue that PFL can be disempowering and reinforces negative stereotypes about disabled people. Here are some of the critical debates surrounding PFL:

1. Disconnection from Identity: By separating the person from their disability, PFL can create a disconnect from the individual's identity and lived experiences. Some disability advocates argue that disability is a part of a person's identity and should be acknowledged and respected as such.

2. Reinforcement of Stigma: Despite its intentions, PFL can unintentionally reinforce negative stereotypes and stigma by implying that disability is something to be ashamed of or that it is a flaw that needs to be "fixed." It can also imply that disabled people are inferior to able-bodied individuals.

3. Medicalization of Disability: PFL can reinforce the medical model of disability, which views disability as a personal problem that needs to be fixed or cured. This approach can overlook the societal and environmental barriers that contribute to disability and hinder accessibility and inclusion.

4. Ineffectiveness in Improving Attitudes: Some studies have suggested that the use of PFL does not necessarily improve attitudes towards disabled people. In fact, some research has found that people who use PFL may still hold negative attitudes towards disability.

Overall, the controversies surrounding PFL suggest that language is complex and that no one approach will work for everyone. Advocates for disability rights and inclusion continue to push for more nuanced and empowering language that recognizes the identities and experiences of disabled people.

Disconnection from Identity

One of the controversies surrounding Person-First Language (PFL) is its potential to create a disconnection from the identity of disabled individuals. By placing the person before their disability, PFL separates the two and implies that disability is an add-on or a secondary characteristic, rather than an integral part of a person's identity. This can be problematic for some disabled individuals, who see their disability as an inseparable part of who they are and their life experiences.

For example, a person who is deaf may identify strongly with their Deaf culture and community, which is based on shared experiences of deafness and a shared language, American Sign Language (ASL). For them, being deaf is not a negative label, but an essential part of their identity. Using PFL, such as saying "person with a hearing impairment," may suggest that the individual is separate from their Deaf identity and culture.

Reinforcement of Stigma

Another controversy surrounding Person-First Language (PFL) is its potential to reinforce negative stereotypes and stigma about disabled people. While PFL was created to promote respect and equality, it can unintentionally imply that disability is a negative characteristic or a flaw that needs to be "fixed." This can reinforce the societal attitudes that disabled people are inferior or in need of pity.

For example, saying "person with a disability" implies that the person is a "person first," as if their disability is a secondary characteristic. However, some disability advocates argue that this approach reinforces the idea that disability is something negative or shameful. It also implies that a person's disability is something they should try to overcome or "fix."

Medicalization of Disability

Another controversy surrounding Person-First Language (PFL) is its potential to reinforce the medical model of disability, which views disability as a personal problem that needs to be fixed or cured. This approach overlooks the societal and environmental barriers that contribute to disability and hinders accessibility and inclusion.

PFL can reinforce the medical model of disability by implying that disability is a medical condition or impairment that needs to be "fixed" or "overcome." This approach can overlook the fact that many disabled people do not want or need to be "fixed," but instead require access to accommodations and support to live independently and participate fully in society.

Ineffectiveness in Improving Attitudes

While PFL was created with the intention of promoting respect and equality, there is debate over whether it actually achieves these goals.

Some studies have found that PFL can improve attitudes towards disabled people by promoting personhood and reducing negative stereotypes. However, other studies have found that PFL does not necessarily improve attitudes and can even reinforce negative attitudes towards disabled people.

One potential explanation for the ineffectiveness of PFL in improving attitudes is that it may not address the underlying societal attitudes and systemic barriers that contribute to disability discrimination. While language is important, it alone cannot address the deep-seated societal attitudes and structural barriers that contribute to disability exclusion and discrimination.

Moreover, some disability advocates argue that focusing solely on language can overlook the need for systemic change and the need to address issues such as inaccessible environments, discriminatory policies, and lack of accessibility and accommodations. Instead, they argue that greater attention and resources should be directed towards systemic change, which can significantly promote inclusion and equality for disabled people.

While PFL may sometimes help promote respect and equality for disabled people, it is not a panacea for disability discrimination. Advocates for disability rights and inclusion are continuing to push for more comprehensive and systemic approaches that address the underlying societal attitudes and structural barriers that contribute to disability exclusion and discrimination.Top of Form

The Benefits of Identity-First Language

For many years, Person-First Language (PFL) has been the standard for referring to disabled people. However, in recent years, an alternative approach known as Identity-First Language (IFL) has emerged. Unlike PFL, which emphasizes the person over their disability, IFL puts the disability first and acknowledges it as an inherent part of the individual's identity. While PFL was created with good intentions to promote respect and dignity for disabled people, some argue that it can have negative consequences such as reinforcing stigma, disconnection from identity, and medicalization of disability. In contrast, proponents of IFL argue that it can have several benefits, including promoting disability pride, fostering community, and improving self-advocacy.

Affirmation of Identity

One of the main benefits of using Identity-First Language (IFL) is that it affirms the identity of disabled people. By placing the disability first in language, IFL acknowledges that disability is an inherent part of an individual's identity, and not something to be ashamed of or hidden away. This approach is essential for disabled people who have been marginalized and stigmatized, as it provides them with a sense of pride and ownership of their disability identity.

For example, instead of saying "person with autism," which implies that autism is separate from the individual, IFL would say "autistic person." This emphasizes that autism is an integral part of the person's identity, rather than an addition or a flaw. This approach can help disabled individuals to embrace their identity and take pride in their unique experiences and perspectives.

Furthermore, IFL can help to challenge negative attitudes towards disability by promoting disability as a positive aspect of identity. It sends a message that disabled people should be accepted and valued for who they are, rather than being defined solely by their impairments or limitations.

Overall, using IFL can be a powerful tool for affirming the identity of disabled people, promoting disability pride, and challenging negative attitudes towards disability.

Recognition of Social Model of Disability

Another benefit of using Identity-First Language (IFL) is that it recognizes and supports the social model of disability. The social model of disability is a framework that views disability as a social construct, rather than an individual medical condition. According to this model, disability is caused by social, cultural, and physical barriers that prevent disabled individuals from fully participating in society on an equal basis.

IFL aligns with the social model of disability by acknowledging the disability as a part of the individual's identity, rather than a medical condition that needs to be fixed or cured. This approach can help to shift the focus from the individual's impairment to the social and environmental barriers that contribute to their disability.

For example, using IFL can help highlight how society is designed for able-bodied people and how this can create barriers for disabled people. By acknowledging the disability as an integral part of the individual's identity, IFL can help to challenge the notion that disabled people need to be "fixed" or cured in order to participate fully in society.

Overall, by recognizing and supporting the social model of disability, IFL can help to promote greater awareness and understanding of the barriers faced by disabled people and support efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible society.

Improvement of Disability Rights Movement

The Disability Rights Movement seeks to promote equal rights, opportunities, and access to services and resources for disabled people. Using Identity-First Language (IFL) can also help to improve the Disability Rights Movement. By placing the disability first in language, IFL aligns with the principles of the Disability Rights Movement and can help to advance its goals.

IFL can help to shift the focus from an individual's impairment to the social and environmental barriers that create disability. This approach can help to challenge the notion that disability is an individual problem to be solved through medical intervention or charity. Instead, IFL can help to promote a more systemic approach to disability that recognizes the importance of creating a more inclusive and accessible society for all.

Furthermore, by promoting disability pride and affirming the identity of disabled people, IFL can help to build a stronger and more unified Disability Rights Movement. It can help to create a sense of community and shared experience among disabled people and provide a foundation for collective action.

Overall, using IFL can help to strengthen the Disability Rights Movement and promote greater awareness and understanding of the social and environmental barriers that create disability. It can help advance the movement's goals and promote greater equality and inclusion for disabled people.

Recommendations for Using Identity-First Language

Here are some recommendations for using Identity-First Language (IFL) respectfully and effectively:

1. Respect individual preferences: The most important consideration when using IFL is to respect the preferences of the individual. Some disabled people prefer IFL, while others prefer Person-First Language (PFL). If in doubt, it's always best to ask the individual how they prefer to be referred to.

2. Use appropriate terminology: When using IFL, it's important to use appropriate terminology that reflects the individual's identity and disability. For example, "disabled person" is preferred over "person with a disability" in many cases, but it's important to use terminology that reflects the individual's preferences and identity.

3. Avoid generalizations: IFL should be used to describe individuals, not groups or populations. Avoid using IFL in a way that suggests all people with a particular disability share the same experiences or identity.

4. Be aware of context: IFL may be more appropriate in some contexts than others. For example, it may be more appropriate to use PFL in a medical or clinical setting, while IFL may be more appropriate in disability culture or advocacy contexts.

5. Educate others: IFL may be unfamiliar to some people, and it's important to educate others about its importance and meaning. By explaining why IFL is important and providing examples of its use, you can help to promote greater awareness and understanding of disability culture and identity.

Overall, the key to using IFL respectfully is to listen to and respect the preferences of the individual, and to use language that reflects their identity and promotes a sense of pride and community.

The Future of Disability Language

The language used to describe disability is constantly evolving, and it is important to continue to examine and improve our language choices to promote greater awareness, understanding, and inclusion of disabled people. Here are some possible future directions for disability language:

1. Intersectionality: Disability intersects with other aspects of identity, such as race, gender, sexuality, and class. The future of disability language should reflect the diversity of experiences and identities within the disability community and acknowledge the impact of intersecting identities on disability experiences.

2. Personhood: The future of disability language should continue to emphasize the personhood of disabled individuals and promote language that recognizes the full humanity and individuality of disabled people.

3. Empowerment: The future of disability language should promote empowerment and agency for disabled people. This includes language that acknowledges the strengths, skills, and abilities of disabled individuals rather than solely focusing on their limitations or challenges.

4. Inclusivity: The future of disability language should be inclusive of all disabilities, including those that are less visible or less well-known. This includes language that recognizes and respects the diversity of disability experiences and identities.

5. Listening: The future of disability language should involve active listening and engagement with the disability community. By listening to and incorporating the perspectives and experiences of disabled people, we can continue to improve our language choices and promote greater understanding and inclusion.

Overall, the future of disability language should reflect the values of personhood, empowerment, inclusivity, and active listening, and continue to evolve to promote greater awareness, understanding, and inclusion of disabled people.

Conclusion

Using Identity-First Language (IFL) is an important step towards promoting greater inclusion and understanding of disabled people. By recognizing the importance of identity and the impact of language on disability experiences, we can work towards a more equitable and inclusive society. Here are some actions you can take to promote the use of IFL:

1. Educate yourself: Learn about the importance and meaning of IFL and how it is used within the disability community. There are many resources available online and within disability communities that can help you to better understand IFL and its significance.

2. Practice using IFL: Start incorporating IFL into your everyday language when referring to disabled individuals. This can be a small but important step towards promoting greater awareness and understanding of disability culture and identity.

3. Encourage others: Encourage others to use IFL by explaining its importance and providing examples of its use. By raising awareness and promoting the use of IFL, you can help to create a more inclusive and respectful culture for disabled people.

4. Listen to the disability community: Listen to and incorporate the perspectives and experiences of disabled people regarding language choices. By actively listening and engaging with the disability community, we can continue to improve our language choices and promote greater understanding and inclusion.

By taking these actions, we can work towards a future where all individuals are recognized and respected for their unique identities, experiences, and abilities. Let's work together to promote the use of Identity-First Language and create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.