Diversity & Disabilities

People-First Language:

The PR Advantage

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Tim O’Brien operates O’Brien

Communications, an independent

corporate communications consultancy

based in Pittsburgh. He has national-

agency and client-side experience. He’s

run OBC since 2001, providing support to

client organizations from small

businesses and nonprofits to Fortune 100

companies.

Language can be a barrier.

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Poor word choice leads those

with disabilities to feel excluded

or ostracized in the community

and the workplace.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

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Helped break down physical barriers.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

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Improved hiring and management practices.

What hasn’t changed…

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Exclusionary

language

remains.

Victim

Sufferer

Retarded

Invalid Unhealthy Epileptic

Wheelchair-bound

Handicapped

Special Deaf

What can happen…

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Consumers with disabilities go

elsewhere.

What can happen…

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Chances for legal claims and

litigation increase.

Putting People First in How We Speak

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Refer to a person’s disability when it’s

relevant to the discussion, such as when

accommodations are required.

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Putting People First in How We Speak

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“Accessible” is preferred over handicapped.

Putting People First in How We Speak

Don’t call people without disabilities

“normal” or “healthy” in comparison to

people with disabilities.

Implies they are abnormal or unhealthy.

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Putting People First in How We Speak

Words to avoid:

Retarded, slow, special, challenged, crippled, handicapped, mute, infirm, invalid, crazy, unstable, lame, midget, victim or sufferer (as in cancer

victim), wheelchair bound, diabetic, epileptic.

These words describe the condition before

the person, or have stigmas.

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Putting People First in How We Speak

People-first Language Philosophy:

Puts the person first, not the disability – wheelchair user, person with epilepsy, person who is visually impaired, person with hearing difficulty, person with mobility disabilities, survivor (as in cancer survivor)

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Putting People First…Non-verbally

Your eyes (and those of your

representatives) say a lot to people

with disabilities. Make eye contact and

don’t focus on a wheelchair, etc. O’BRIEN COMMUNICATIONS

Putting People First…Non-verbally

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Face people who have hearing

difficulties so they can hear you

better and read your lips.

Putting People First…Non-verbally

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Never assume a person with a disability needs

help. Always ask permission.

Putting People First…Non-verbally

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Never touch a person with a

disability without getting

permission. Especially when

grabbing their arms.

Putting People First…Non-verbally

Sudden movements can cause a person with a

disability to flinch/be thrown off balance.

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Putting People First…Non-verbally

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Schedule meetings in locations that are

accessible. Let them tell you.

Find on Twitter:

@OBrienPR

or at

OBrienCommunications.com

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