Diversity & Disabilities People-First Language: The PR Advantage O’BRIEN COMMUNICATIONS
Diversity & Disabilities
People-First Language:
The PR Advantage
O’BRIEN COMMUNICATIONS
O’BRIEN COMMUNICATIONS
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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.
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.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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Helped break down physical barriers.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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Improved hiring and management practices.
What hasn’t changed…
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Exclusionary
language
remains.
Victim
Sufferer
Retarded
Invalid Unhealthy Epileptic
Wheelchair-bound
Handicapped
Special Deaf
What can happen…
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Consumers with disabilities go
elsewhere.
What can happen…
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Chances for legal claims and
litigation increase.
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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Putting People First in How We Speak
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“Accessible” is preferred over handicapped.
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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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.
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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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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. O’BRIEN COMMUNICATIONS
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.
Putting People First…Non-verbally
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Never assume a person with a disability needs
help. Always ask permission.
Putting People First…Non-verbally
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Never touch a person with a
disability without getting
permission. Especially when
grabbing their arms.
Putting People First…Non-verbally
Sudden movements can cause a person with a
disability to flinch/be thrown off balance.
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Putting People First…Non-verbally
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Schedule meetings in locations that are
accessible. Let them tell you.
Find on Twitter:
@OBrienPR
or at
OBrienCommunications.com
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