Person-first language emphasizes the person before the disability, for example “person who is blind” or “people with spinal cord injuries.” Identity-first language puts the disability first in the description, e.g., “disabled” or “autistic." Person-first or identify-first language is equally appropriate depending on personal preference. When in doubt, ask the person which they prefer.
It is important to note that while person-first language is often used in more formal writing, many people with disabilities, particularly younger people, are choosing to use identity-first language. How a person chooses to self-identify is up to them, and they should not be corrected or admonished if they choose not to use person-first language.
Below are just a few examples of the appropriate use of people-first language.
| Affirmative Phrases |
Negative Phrases |
| Person with an intellectual, cognitive, developmental disability |
Retarded, Mentally defective |
| Person who is blind, Person who is visually impaired |
The blind |
| Person with a disability |
The disabled, Handicapped |
| Person who is deaf |
The deaf, Deaf and dumb |
| Person who is hard of hearing |
Suffers a hearing loss |
| Person who has multiple sclerosis |
Afflicted by MS |
| Person with cerebral palsy |
CP victim |
| Person with epilepsy, Person with a seizure disorder |
Epileptic |
| Person who uses a wheelchair |
Wheelchair bound, Confined to a wheelchair |
| Person who has muscular dystrophy |
Stricken by MD |
| Person with a physical disability |
Crippled, Lame, Deformed |
| Person who is unable to speak, Person who uses synthetic speech |
Dumb, Mute |
| Person with a psychiatric disability |
Crazy, Nuts |
| Person who is successful, productive |
Has overcome his/her disability, Is courageous (when it implies the person has courage because of having a disability) |
| Person who is in recovery from a substance use disorder |
Addict |
