Tim O'Brien operates a communications consultancy and discusses using people-first language when referring to disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act broke down barriers but exclusionary language remains. Using terms like "wheelchair-bound" instead of "wheelchair user" can cause consumers to go elsewhere and increase legal risks. It's best to refer to the person first before their disability and avoid stigmatizing words. Non-verbal communication like making eye contact and asking permission is also important in putting people first.

1. Diversity & Disabilities
People-First Language:
The PR Advantage
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2. O’BRIEN
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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.

3. 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.

4. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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Helped break down physical barriers.

5. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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Improved hiring and management practices.

6. What hasn’t changed…
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Exclusionary
language
remains.
Victim
Sufferer
Retarded
InvalidUnhealthy
Epileptic
Wheelchair-bound
Handicapped
Special
Deaf

7. What can happen…
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Consumers with disabilities go
elsewhere.

8. What can happen…
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Chances for legal claims and
litigation increase.

9. 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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10. Putting People First in How We Speak
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“Accessible” is preferred over handicapped.

11. 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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12. 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. O’BRIEN
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13. 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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14. 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.
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15. 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.

16. Putting People First…Non-verbally
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Never assume a person with a disability needs
help. Always ask permission.

17. Putting People First…Non-verbally
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Never touch a person with a
disability without getting
permission. Especially when
grabbing their arms.

18. Putting People First…Non-verbally
Sudden movements can cause a person with a
disability to flinch/be thrown off balance.
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19. Putting People First…Non-verbally
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Schedule meetings in locations that are
accessible. Let them tell you.

20. Find on Twitter:
@OBrienPR
or at
OBrienCommunications.com
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