LUZ: Advocacy and Motivation in Our Society

Lucy filling during Jeb Bushes' re-election

Communicating About People with Disabilities

Luz Aponte advocates at the local, state and national level regarding policy issues promoting full participation, employment and economic self sufficiency of persons with disabilities. She also works making sure the community at large is sensitive to the dignity and respect that is also reflected in the use of People First Language.

Using person first language is appropriate language to promote positive attitudes toward people with disabilities. Person first language means that the person is emphasized first, the disability second.

Negative language can create incorrect perceptions of people with disabilities. Such negative attitudes are often the most difficult barriers for people with disabilities to overcome.

Even the world handicap is considered unacceptable. The term Handicap is derived from "cap in hand," a phrase associated with beggars.

Use person first language: Person with a disability
Do not use negative language: Disabled or handicapped person
Use person first language: Individual without speech or non-verbal
Do not use negative language: Mute, dumb
Use person first language: Woman who is blind or visually impaired
Do not use negative language: The blind woman or "the blind"
Use person first language: Student who is deaf or hearing impaired
Do not use negative language: Deaf student or "the deaf"
Use person first language: Man with paraplegia
Do not use negative language: The paraplegic
Use person first language: Individual with epilepsy
Do not use negative language: The epileptic
Use person first language: Student who has a learning disability
Do not use negative language: Slow learner, retarded, learning disabled

Use person first language: Person with a mental disability, cognitive impairment
Do not use negative language: Crazy, demented, insane
Use person first language: Person with a developmental disability
Do not use negative language: Mentally retarded
Use person first language: Congenital disability
Do not use negative language: Birth defect

Victor Panoff
SENIOR ADVOCATE / INVESTIGATOR
Advocacy Center Persons with Disabilities, Inc.