One of the "invisible barriers" to inclusion and freedom to participate in mainstream life for individuals with disabilities is prejudicial language. Dramatic progress has been made to eliminate discrimination since the early 1960's. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA, enacted in the late 1990s, was the first movement to use People First Language.

People First Language seeks to put the person first and disability second. People with disabilities are people first. For people with disabilities to be included in all aspects of communities, in ordinary ways that most people take for granted, society at large, must speak about those who have disabilities in typical language, not by their medical diagnosis. Language is a reflection of how people perceive each other. Words can be extremely hurtful. No matter if you have a disability or not.

Society at large has used labels to define the value and potential of people. Individuals with disabilities are people first. When people with disabilities are referred to by their medical diagnoses, it devalues them as human beings. The language needs to focus on each person's value, individuality, and capabilities.

An example would be if you had epilepsy you would say, "epilepsy is what I have, not what I am." Instead of epileptic, say "person with epilepsy" or "child with epilepsy." This places the focus on the whole person, not on just one characteristic. As an adjective, "epileptic" is okay such as "anti-epileptic medication".

Other inappropriate terms or usages may include fit, control, and disease. "Fit" is commonly used to describe seizures in Canada and other English-speaking countries of the Commonwealth. In the U.S., the connotation of fit is mental derangement or loss of emotional control or symptoms of rabies. "Seizure" is preferred to "fit". Seizures are controlled with medication; persons with epilepsy are not. Also, remember that epilepsy is not a disease but rather a disorder.

No more labels, they are degrading. Labels evoke negative images and lump people together focusing on the disability not the person or his/her abilities. Society won't change unless each person insists on the change. This is not a matter of being "politically correct". People are individuals - whether you have a disability or not - and people don't like labels. Labels stereotype and are limiting.

Avoiding stereotyping and showing a bit of sensitivity demonstrates common respect. A person with a disability should be looked upon as a valuable participating member of society. For this to happen, the language must change. As the language changes, the perceptions and attitudes towards people will change and people will become more accepted by society. Regardless of whether a child or adult can differentiate between the words, motivation for using People First Language is the same. It is a matter of respect that everyone should honor. It may be a difficult habit to break but these simple tips will demonstrate a caring attitude.