[humanser] Person first language

[Kaiti Shelton]

Hi all,

I'm thinking a lot about this lately and was interested in seeing what
others think.  The code of ethics and standards of practice I have to
abide by promote the use of person first language so of course I have
to use them, but I feel a little odd when I think of self-disclosing
my blindness to my clients.  I know the NFB's position is that you
don't have to say, "A person who is blind," and can call yourself or
others "a blind person" if you like, and I do.  How do you in your
practices reconcile this with a need to call your clients, "a person
with Autism" or "A person with depression?"

Furthermore, I'm wondering what to do if I ever meet a client who
feels like their disability is enough of their identity that they
don't want to be identified/self-identify in disability first
language.  E.G, if I have a client who is blind or deaf, someone who
tells me upfron "I'm a wheelchair user," or even a child who might
say, "I'm a dyslexic kid."  How would you navigate that?

Thanks,

-- 
Kaiti Shelton
University of Dayton-Music Therapy
President, Ohio Association of Blind Students 2013-Present
Secretary, The National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts
Division 2015-2016

"You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back!"