When thinking about how you describe yourself in social settings, you might consider terms like introverted, shy, aloof, bashful, timid, or diffident. Each word carries its own nuance, ranging from positive to negative connotations. If you had to pick one word to describe yourself, which would you lean towards? Do you think that a single word can capture the complexity of your personality?

For individuals with disabilities and their families, language plays a crucial role, especially when it comes to using affirming terms. Over time, language changes, and words that were once acceptable may become offensive. For example, "crippled" was once used to describe people with mobility challenges but is now considered inappropriate.

Navigating language related to disabilities can be tricky, but it is important to educate yourself on current accepted terminology and respect individual preferences. Avoid outdated terms, choose positive or neutral descriptors, and always consider language preferences when communicating with people with disabilities.

Prepare

Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum,

• Review The Impact of Ableism on People Living With DisabilitiesLinks to an external site. webpage.
  • After reviewing the resource, please ensure to take the Disability Implicit Association Test from Project Implicit located at the end of the webpage.
• Review the Writing Respectfully: Person-First and Identity-First LanguageLinks to an external site. webpage.
• Review The Opportunity of AdversityLinks to an external site. video.
• Review the Accessibility: Understanding Person First and Identity First Disability LanguageLinks to an external site. video.
• Review The Importance of Words interactive.

Initial Post

In your initial post,

• Examine the importance of words “The words we use to refer to and address people matter, especially when it comes to conveying respect and understanding” (Shaw, n.d.).
• Summarize why you must be mindful of your language, especially when working with students with disabilities and their families.
• Discuss why this is particularly important when presenting challenges to parents who are first learning of their child’s diagnoses.
• Consider the scenario of a new family attending your school’s open house. The student has a disability, and one of your colleagues addresses the student using people first language.
  • Explain why you agree or disagree with how your colleague chose to address this family at an open house.
  • How would you address a parent coming to the open house if you were the first to engage them that night?
• Discuss how you felt taking the Disability Task of the Implicit Association Test (IAT).
  • How did this experience provide you with a shift in your thinking about how you view able and disabled?

Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum,

• Review The Impact of Ableism on People Living With DisabilitiesLinks to an external site. webpage.
  • After reviewing the resource, please ensure to take the Disability Implicit Association Test from Project Implicit located at the end of the webpage.
• Review the Writing Respectfully: Person-First and Identity-First LanguageLinks to an external site. webpage.
• Review The Opportunity of AdversityLinks to an external site. video.
• Review the Accessibility: Understanding Person First and Identity First Disability LanguageLinks to an external site. video.
• Review The Importance of Words interactive.