[humanser] Person first language

[Lisa Irving]

Hi Katie,

In my previous work as an inclusion coordinator and vision disability awareness trainer and I promote person first language. Some of you may have noticed that I referred to blindness as persons with a vision disability. That is because that is the language that most people speak and there are individuals who are very uncomfortable with blindness and using the word blind. Additionally, I model the appropriate language to use and that is person first language. With regard to the NFB's position that we are blind individuals here's how I handle that topic. Also, when I talk about blindness I also talk about disability culture and the different disability groups within the disability culture. I find that when using this approach I can introduce the different disability cultures. I discuss the NFB's position and I explain why we believe that it is respectable to be blind and also why we identify as blind individuals.I hope you find this information helpful. If you have additional questions please feel free to contact me off-line.

From,
Lisa Irving

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 24, 2015, at 10:40 AM, Reyazuddin, Yasmin via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi All, 
> The best place to find the information on persons first language is www.hhs.gov/ocr 
> I have found good information regarding this subject. Hope it helps. 
> 
> Yasmin Reyazuddin 
> Aging & Disability Services 
> Montgomery County Government 
> Department of Health & Human Services 
> 401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor) 
> Rockville MD 20850 
> 240-777-0311 (MC311) 
> 240-777-1556 (personal) 
> 240-777-1495 (fax) 
> office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm 
> Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille 
> 
> 
> This message may contain protected health information or other information that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by return mail and destroy any copies of this material. 
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kaiti Shelton via humanser
> Sent: Friday, July 24, 2015 1:22 PM
> To: humanser at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Kaiti Shelton <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [humanser] Person first language
> 
> 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!"
> 
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