Person first language puts the word ‘person’ or ‘people’ before any reference to disability, diagnosis, or health condition. For example, ‘people with disabilities’, ‘people who have autism’, ‘people who are deaf’.
The thinking behind this language is to promote the idea that disability is ‘just a label’ and not the defining characteristic of the person. It is seen as a way to emphasise the person, and view the diagnosis, health condition, or disability as only one part of the whole person, describing what the person ‘has’ rather than what the person ‘is’.
This language fits with the medical and charity models of disability.
People who don’t like person first language say it suggests the ‘problem’ is with the person rather than with disabling barriers in society.
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