[Ct-nfb] Person-First Language

[Janet Wallans]

Hello Justin, 

 

I personally prefer the person first language. I like to think of myself as
a person first and rather not be labeled or thought of as a blind person. I
find that very demeaning. I would rather not be described by my disability. 

 

Janet 

 

From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Justin
Salisbury via Ct-nfb
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 9:20 PM
To: 'ct-nfb at nfbnet.org'
Subject: [Ct-nfb] Person-First Language

 

Fellow Federationists:

 

In many circles in the disability community, there has come to be a practice
of referring to ourselves as "people with disabilities" or "people who are
blind" instead of "blind people." 

 

What message does this send, and why do we not have a practice of saying
"woman who is blonde," or, for that matter, "person who is female and
blonde?" Why do we not say "person who is male and short" instead of "short
man?" What is it that is different about a disability that necessitates
placing the adjective after the noun?

 

Yours in Federationism,

 

Justin Salisbury

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