Understanding the Use of People First Language

1. www.laspdg.org Understanding the Use of People First Language Presented by Pamdora Williams LaSPDG Staff @laspdg

2. Considerations • This webinar is being recorded and will be available for viewing at www.laspdg.org • If you need to ask a question, please use the Chat Pod on your screen (NOTE: all participants will see your chat) • You can download today’s presentation resources from the FILES pod. --Click on the file name and then select “SAVE TO MY COMPUTER”. --Select a destination on your computer and then save the file.

3. CLU Credit • In order to receive a certificate of participation for today’s webinar (1 CLU credit contingent upon the approval of your employing school system) you will need to type the following information into the chat pod at this time: • Full name • Parish you are representing • Your complete email address • Your certificate will be emailed to you by Friday afternoon; if you do not receive it, please email Wendy Allen wallen@lsu.edu

4. Indicate your knowledge of People First Language (PFL) 0 - I have never heard of People First Language 1 - I have some knowledge of People First Language 2 - I have a good understanding of People First Language

5. Goal: To develop awareness and sensitivity to words that refer to individuals and their disabilities. • Objectives: • To understand the importance of words chosen when referring to individuals with disabilities • To become aware of statements that represent People First Language • To apply People First Language to non-examples

6. Sticks & Stones Think back to a time when someone hurt you with verbal sticks and stones. Think about a word/phrase to describe how that impacted you.

7. Sticks & Stones Sticks and stones may break the bones, but words CAN and DO HURT!

8. People First Language “People First Language puts the person before the disability and describes what a person has, not who a person is.” “Old and inaccurate descriptors perpetuate negative stereotypes and generate an incredibly powerful attitudinal barrier – the greatest obstacle facing individuals with disabilities.” “People First Language reflects good manners, not ‘political correctness’ and it was started by individuals who said ‘We are not our disabilities’.” Kathie Snow. (n.d.) A few words about People First Language. Disability is Natural. Retrieved August 1, 2012 from http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PDF/pfl-sh09.pdf

9. Let’s take a poll…. Which statement uses People First Language correctly? • She’s learning disabled. • He receives special education services. • He is a LAA 2 student.

10. Which statement uses People First Language correctly? • She’s learning disabled. • He receives special education services. • He is a LAA 2 student.

11. People First Language INSTEAD OF: Handicapped/disabled Mental retardation Mike is autistic Handicapped parking I WILL SAY: People with disabilities. Cognitive or intellectual disability Mike has autism Accessible parking “Language tends to shape beliefs about a person’s potential needs and desires “ [Hutchinson and McGill, 1992]. The language we use influences the way we see people and the way they see themselves.

12. Video of People First Language http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ0pKPxoyHs This is part of a social marketing campaign to raise awareness of the importance of utilizing people-first language when referring to people who have developmental or intellectual disabilities

13. Poll: “Say This, Not That” • Read the statement • Determine whether-or-not the statement is an example of People First Language.

14. SAY “I am the inclusion teacher and will have the sped kids in my class this year.” “I am the inclusion teacher and will have the students with disabilities in my class this year.” INSTEAD OF

15. “Molly is a first grade student in my class; she is autistic.” SAY “Molly is a first grade student in my class; she has a diagnosis of autism.” INSTEAD OF

16. “Bryant receives special education services and will be a part of the basketball team this year.” SAY

17. “Clay is confined to a wheelchair this year.” SAY “Clay will utilize a wheelchair this year.” INSTEAD OF

18. “The school has made additional spaces for handicapped parking.” SAY “The school has made additional spaces for accessible parking.” INSTEAD OF

19. “Derick is in my 4th hour class and he has a developmental delay.” SAY

20. SAY “John communicates with his eyes/devices/etc.” “John is non-verbal.” INSTEAD OF

21. SAY “Bill is a student who takes the LAA1 test.” “Bill is a LAA1 student.” INSTEAD OF

23. Jill Egle is an author, international speaker, and self-advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities. https://vimeo.com/43469334

25. Let’s take a poll…. How People First Friendly is your school? 1 Best….5 Worst

26. Let’s Chat! Using the Chat Pod… Share ways you can spread People First Language with educators, families, and other stakeholders?

27. What Can I Do as a Teacher? • Teach your students PFL - pledge • Share with staff (watch webinar at http://laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=313) - pledge • Use with your co-workers • Use at meetings • Invite guest speakers to your class • Help ensure your school’s written documents support PFL • Have students bring in non-examples used in media (web, newspaper, magazine) & discuss how to change to PFL • Practice!

28. For additional information, articles & resources…. • Visit website www.disabilityisnatural.com/

29. Resources • People First Language Webinar http://laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=313 • Disability Is Natural http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/explore/language-communication • Family to Family Network http://www.familytofamilynetwork.org/parent-resources/people-first-language • Brochure http://www.dads.state.tx.us/news_info/publications/brochures/respectfullanguage.pdf • I’m Tyler http://www.imtyler.org/ • You tube Jill Eglehttps://vimeo.com/43469334 • US Department of Labor http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/comucate.htm

31. Questions? Please use your chat pod if you have questions related to this presentation (if time permits, we will answer them, if not, please email questions to contacts below) • After this webinar, you may email any content-related questions to Pamdora Williamspwilli@lsu.edu • You may email any grant-related questions to Melanie Lemoine lemoinem@lsu.edu

32. REMINDER: CLU Credit • IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO DURING THIS WEBINAR….. • In order to receive a certificate of participation for today’s webinar (1 CLU credit contingent upon the approval of your employing school system) you will need to type the following information into the chat pod at this time: • Full name • Parish you are representing • Your complete email address • Your certificate will be emailed to you by Friday afternoon; if you do not receive it, please email Wendy Allen wallen@lsu.edu

33. For the People First Language powerpoint and other resources, visit our website www.laspdg.org and click on the Family Engagement tab. The contents of this PowerPoint presentation were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H323A110003. However those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. @laspdg

34. We Want Your Feedback! • At this time we will launch the brief survey to complete regarding this webinar • If the survey does not appear on your screen or if you have pop up blockers enabled, you can go directly to it at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ippfl • After you have completed the survey, you may exit the webinar