PRNewswire via COMTEX— Media coverage of Sarah Palin and her son, Trig, is full of disabling, non-person first language. Media reports on Trig variously describe him as a “Down syndrome baby” and “Down syndrome child” who is “afflicted”. The preferred means of speaking and writing about people with disabilities is Person-First, a style of communication that puts the person before any mention of his or her disability and avoids the use of value-negative terms, such as afflicted or suffers. Person first language demonstrates that disability is not the sole defining characteristic of a person, any more than an individual is solely defined by hair or skin color. Cynthia Kidder, CEO of Band of Angels (http://www.bandofangels.com), a national outreach group says, “Language sets a tone and standard of expectation… This discussion must include the power of language and the influence of the media in shaping national standards for language.”
SOURCE:
Palin's VP Nomination Highlights Media's Disability Language Gaffes
RELATED:
American Speech and Hearing Association Guide to Person First Language:
http://www.asha.org/about/publications/journal-abstracts/submissions/person_first.htm
http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/peoplefirstlanguage.htm
33 comments:
When I first started the rehabilitation courses at the university I do not believe I had ever heard of person first language. I understood it and defiantly agree with why person first language is important. So therefore I really can’t blame the media for using non-person first language, they are just unaware of the person first language and its imporance. Or at least that I what I hope is true about the media. Learning to use person first language is not hard, it is just training your self to speak differently that you are used to speaking. I still catch my self using non person first language and then promptly correct my self, and I will correct and explain to other people the importance of person first language. It comes down that for person first language to be used by media and by really any person it had to do with education.
Cameron L.
We live in a society were we label everything to help us remember a specific thing or object. I know that when I started the class it opened my eyes to a new way of thinking and speaking. Society is often unaware of these things which is why media often does not put person first, therefore passing forward the wrong information to society.
Jessica M.
I didn't know about person-first language before my intro to rehab class. I think that the media is simply unaware of this way of speaking. If I were a journalist, I would first, inform myself of proper-or what is considered proper- terms and language when referring to certain things. In this case, these media journalists did not do their research and might even be offending some. I am glad though, that Sarah Palin is very publicly talked about, as well as her son. I feel that many Americans are unaware of disabilities and how they affect people. Hopefully, this child will open some eyes across the nation.
Victoria A. S.
I should show this to my brother. I just got into a HUGE discussion with him about person first. I think that it's very important! I also believe that it's important for the media as well. We need to change the way our society speaks of people who have disabilities.
I am a newbie to the rehab program at UTPA. I sat through two classes during the summer and I found myself cringing at comments made by both, professors and students. I am legally blind and have worked for many years with students that are visually impaired. Despite growing up with a visual impairment and working with students that have a visual impairment, it did not make me "more sensitive" or "aware" of the approriate language I should use with my students. I had my own point of reference, which was often condescending, insulting, etc. Education and training were important factors in my ability to gain a differect perspective on disability.
I have been watching the news and have been scrutinizing the terms used to describe Trig. There are those individuals who will say a lot of progress has been made and yet the evidence is out there; we have a long way to go. Language is extremely powerful. The use of one word can have devastating and longlasting effects on people. The media has an opportunity to educate many people. It is up to us to determine what action/s we will take to address the issue. Blogging on this site is not sufficient. I suggest we all send e-mails to the major news networks and educate them on how to better address individuals with disabilties. Grassroot movements work and awareness is key. Our society is so used to addressing the disabilty before the person, but as Cameron noted, we can learn to use "Person first language".
Rosie G
In the article about person first language in regards to Palins's son is just simply sloppy. We are talking about media, journalists, reporters, etc. These people are supposed to cross all their t's and dot all their I's. A search on the internet about any disability will talk about person first language when referring to an individual with a disablity.
I do not think it is acceptable for them not to utilize it. I understand it may not be mandotary but the reporter should take it upon themselves to relay the news the correct way.
Also, I am sure Sarah Palin is aware of person first language as Trig's mother and as she proclaimed in her acceptance speech, something to the effect that the disabled community will have an ally on their side in the government.
Why has she not made a point to correct the media when referring to her son? After all this is her baby in the headlines and I know I would not allow something like that continue for so long.
I am sure if she were to address the media they would correct themselves and really show that she is an advocate for disability issues.
Marilync
I agree with Rosie. We as students of the Rehab program have to start now in addressing issue that relate to our future professions. We need to be active today to hopefully ensure that in the near future society is aware on various apects of disablities.
Marilyn C
Before taking this course I was ignorant of person first language. The majority of people seem to not be aware of the concept (previously including myself), it's sad but true. You would expect though for a politician to know better, as they come under constant scrutiny and pressure to be politically correct.
- Carlo G.
Every person wants to feel like a person especially by other people. I am just beginning this program and I have learned so much in just these few weeks we have come to school. Its the first time i hear about the person first language and I am guilt of not doing so. As I learn more about people with disabilties I understand how it must feel.i believe the media does not know about person first language just as i did not at a time. For those of us that do it is our responsibility to spread the word. I know many people in this world would appreciate it so much.
Annette M.
After going over person-first language in class me classmates and I have learned to put the person before the attribute. If you read a sentence with first-person languange and another without it you could see how just a change of words can hurt a person feelings. In this case since they are reffering to a child they might not be hurting the childs feelings but the mothers in this case Governor Sara Pailin. I think everyone should learn about person-first languange which is very important.
Alejandrina T.
It is sad to see how society can seem so vain now a day. However, I agree with the person first language. It emphasizes that they are just like everyone else, “human”. Regardless of disability or illness. People with disabilities suffer from prejudice stereotyping and labeling when a disability mentioned the most important thing. But it seems like we are in a time where we need to help making others aware of the correct ways to say things as well as putting words in a way that is not offensive or degrading the person, regardless of disability or illness. It seems we can try to make others aware, however, it will take time. Once someone is very set on something it takes time to change but it can be done. I would hope that Palin’s son would be an eye opener to many who ignore these concepts and will help progress the way they see things.
Janneth A.
I am a new student in the department, and am learning "person first" language. It is hard to break habits of listing a person's disability before their name. That is one disadvantage of the English language, which has adjectives before nouns. The Spanish language and ASL are more comforable with listing the adjective or adverb after the noun.
I think person first language is a very good thing. It is sad to go through life with what is considered by many to be a pejorative label on your forehead, unable to show positive things about your personality and skills. I hope that stressing person first language and educating the media and public will make a new world where Trix will not grow up with his only definition being that he has Downs syndrome.
Having said this, the case of Trix Palin presents us an interesting question. His syndrome is almost all that we know about him. If we do not refer to him as having DS, who is he? At this point in his life we are probably not entitled to know more. He is a private individual who needs privacy in order to develop.
The story does not stop there. He has also become a public symbol. Even though he is entitled to being shielded from publicity, he is also an opportunity to teach the public and the media about using language in a way that will not demean or stereotype persons with disabilities.
DavidW
As more Americans with disabilities are entering the workplace, it is important that the media, businesses, educational system and others working with disabilities learn to use person first language when talking about people with disabilities. It is up to us as educators to teach those uninformed to speak with respect to all people and if they are talking about individuals with disabilities then they need to place the disability descriptor after the child or adult descriptor. A book that is a helpful guide to educators titled, “Without Bias: A Guidebook for Nondiscriminatory Communication” is a helpful resource to teaching the public about avoiding bias with regard to race, ethnicity, gender, age and disability. The media’s coverage of Palin’s son with Down syndrome shows culture insensitivity as well as political incorrectness. The words they used create negative stereotypes of people with disabilities and fail to see people with disabilities as important individuals in society. The media has an enormous influence on society’s knowledge, attitudes, and public policies regarding individuals with disabilities. Children and others with disabilities need to hear and see themselves referred to in a positive way in order to see themselves as important individuals in society. It is important for all those informed about person first language teach others about using the correct language when addressing persons with disabilities in order to promote social awareness and eliminate stereotypical language and attitudes.
D. Fraser
Cameron, Jessica, Victoria and Marilyn all point out the Ineffectiveness of the media in reporting on the youngest son of Sarah Palin. The "media" seems more inten on questioning how a women could consider being the Vice President when she has a family to take care of and a child with special needs at that. I agree, that the media should first do their own research on the correct use of language and person first language is the accepted correct form. The media bias is quick to appear in the attacks on Sarah Palin, yet overlooks the insensitivity of attacks on Mcains age and wheather he can use email. The media in their attacks failed to check on the effects of wounds on his hands and wrists that make using a keybord painfull and difficult. The insensitivity to gender, disability and age on the part of the media is becoming embarassing. Shame on the professional journalists. Russell a
As a new student to the Rehabilitation Counseling Program, I had never heard of the “Person First” Language. So, I wouldn’t have considered myself to have been insensitive or apathetic in the way of addressing persons of disability, but rather more of being ignorant to that of the language of the Disability Community. I absolutely agree that “Person First” Language should be used when addressing anyone with any disability as a form of recognizing the person as a person first rather than negatively labeling them by their disability. And it is good to see that through this election and through Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sara Palin can bring about a forum to introduce this language to the American people. Everyday now since my introduction to this language I find myself catching the news media as well as myself, including people in general using the negative labeling language. And I believe that it is up to us as individuals to advocate the use of the “Person First” Language when we encounter individuals who are not yet exposed to it. Juan N.3 of 12
I can empathize with all of you. I'm not new to the program, however, when I was introduced to person first language a couple of years ago, I too was thrown back at how all these years the emphasis was on the disability first and then the name. I used to work for the Special Ed. department at a school district and everyone, including me, would use such terms as the mongoloid, the crippled girl. I don't remember when or how I learned this vocabulary, but I do know that the "professionals (diagnosticians, ot, pt...)" would use these terms when addressing children that were in the program during assessments, ARD's, meetings and so forth.
Absolutely Rosie, I agree with you. We can make a difference. Most of us have internet access at home, so let's ban together and next time anyone from the media does not use person first language, let's email him/her and express our sentiments on how we feel about the issue and educate them on the importance of such language.
Norfy G.
First of all the proper way to refer to the child is: A person who has Down Syndrome and Someone needs to inform Ms. future vice president that she can call the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities for a copy of People First Language. In all fairness to Ms. Future vice president or not, I too grew up using the Labels that stereotype and Devalue individuals with disabilites. It wasn't until I become disabled and started working for a Center for Independent Living that I was educated about people first language. I think we are all guilty of stereotyping individauls with disabilties and not until you get in a profession that works with individuals with disabilites are were aware of todays proper terms. Lets continue to spread the word that People with disabilities are fist and formost people. we have individual abilities interests and needs.
Emede R.
Part of the problem is people live in a world where non person first language, along with using steroidal words like retard, or skitso in negative disabling ways is common place. To refer to the person by their limitation, disease, race, creed, age, and occupation. Most people believe a label should be in place for all things. Problem with that is the Media (Hollywood, TV, and printed formats) instill much of the negative when associating a person with their disability first. Even I myself am guilty of it, in that at times I refer to a person by their outwardly appearance, distinguishing characteristic, a group or organization they belong to. I myself was at one point referred to in a comical sense as wheatard, taking my last name in forming it to sound like the word retard. Even I found the remark funny at the time, without thinking of how it would affect a person stigma with that disability. What would be needed is to educated and make aware of the person first language, but for that to truly take change it would need to be something seen done by the mass media, and Hollywood in general so that every day people will mimic and take note of the example of others in a mass scale. Until such an action is taken, people will brush off the call to arms of referring to people with person first language as "new age", or "touchy felly" BS that is being shoved down their throats, much like when women at one point wanted to be seen and referred to differently, minorities, and people of different sexual orientation.
Christopher W.
5/12
Well said Emede!
I believe that the media will continue to use non-person-first language, regardless of their being educated about its importance. I think this is an unfortunate reality.
Why?
First, the sound-byte/headline: The media is all about being short and to the point. If they can describe Trig in two words rather than four, they will.
Second, the media's motivation is to sell their product, a.k.a. the news. If they can catch a consumer's ear or eye by being provocative, they will.
Margaret T.
Although it is very disrespectful for the media to use the wrong language in a way I understand because I did not have a clue about what first person language was. I did not learn about it until my intro to rehab class this semester. And now that I have learned, I use it myself and teach it to others around me. Which is one way that we can resolve this issue. However that doesn't excuse the media for their mistake because they should serve as an example and as a means to educate the rest of the population.
Diana m.b.
i have been paying more attention to the media lately. i have noticed that yes they use words look wheelchair bound and confined to the wheelchair. i can not understand why the person with disability does not correct the reporter. i can't understand Palin does not say something about her son conditions is she trying to make the public feel sorry for her. i understand that person first language has been out for some years. people in politics should know about person first language. it did not take me long to learn person first language and it sounds better. it gives the person an identity, we get to know the person not the disability.
Angie K.
My experience with person first language was a half a year ago when I heard many of my co-workers and parents that I work with use words such as, “crack baby, and handicap and so on. This list goes on and on. I have confronted or explained the reason of person first language and why it is important. When a person uses the above words they open the doors for polarization and stigmatizing. A past supervisor stated, “What’s the child handicap?” I threw me off guard and I did not know who to approach her. It was a difficult situation, but I told her nicely and she agreed. In other words sometimes people speak to fast and do not realize the effects they do when they do not speak in person first language.
- MM
In a communications career it should be more emphasized that people with disabilities should not be labeled or called different names because of their disabilites. A person-first language should be strictly implemented by these public organizations and the media.
Diana Bernal
I am relatively new to working with people with disabilities and what I have come to find is that not many people in this field are familiar with person first language. I know many of my co-workers still use Mental Retardation. I let them know that the language is changing and that we should use more appropriate terms. Most laugh at me awkwardly and change the subject. I figured it is best to start with myself, so I am making a conscious effort to change the language that I use. I still have a long way to go. I agree with the article that if the media would jump on board and start using person first language that it would catch on quicker. Until then I feel that continuing with writing about person first language or pointing out when it is not being used is a good strategy to expose the concept.
~Marlene H. 4 of 12
For me most of the times using person-first language comes easy but I sometime forget to use person fist language. I think that the media influences me for the most part. I hear that more often that anything else. I try to do my part when I hear person-fist language is not being used. When I hear someone use an improper word or sentence, I simply repeated it the proper way it should be said. Sometimes I get a dirty look but I don’t care, I completely believe that we should not be defined by our characteristics but by they type of person we are. Even though that is somewhat hard to do, we all can’t help but to notice the blonde, or the tall person in the room. It is harder not to notice a person using a wheelchair because it is not seen as often. I have gotten better and I will continue to correct people who are not award of using person-fist language, not only for persons with disabilities but for everyone else as well.
Crystal S.
6 of 12
Person first language is something that is fairly new to me. Before coming into the rehab program I must say that I did not use person first language. I had no idea that the way I was talking could hurt someone. Then, I took this class and realized that there is a correct way of speaking about someone with a disability. There are many people who do not use person first language and now that I am aware of it, I find myself correcting others. In fact, I even catch myself at times still using non-person first language and I feel bad afterwards. I think, “I shouldn’t have said that,” then if I can, I will correct myself, but I have ended conversations without correcting myself. It takes time and practice to use person first language. Either the media just decides not to use it or purposely uses it to get the readers attention.
Nancy C.
6 of 12
So the lack of person first language with Palin is questionable because she is putting the disability in front of the child and well what kind of mother is she. Yes thank you Palin for keeping this afflicted child you are so great. Now that just sounds ridiculous because no person with a disability is ever afflicted unless they want to feel that way. People with disabilities are standing up to the people who think otherwise everyday. I can honestly admit that before any of my Rehab courses I used the non person first language. Now that I am more informed of this person first language and how it affects those who I am talking about I can catch myself and correct what I say before others use the incorrect language. It is not hard things to do you just have to be more aware of what you are saying or how you talk and others will catch on. The media is not any different and they can learn to speak correctly and appropriately if they try. It can be done.
-anisa c
I am not surprised to see that the media coverage of Sarah Palin’s baby was unacceptable. The media is notorious for not using person-first language. It is a rare event when I open the newspaper and see person-first language. The number of articles that are written to scold the media for this very issue do not seem to affect them. I just feel that it is rude and disrespectful to refer to a person in such a way. Even if we were to leave out the afflicted portion, a “Down-syndrome baby” just adds such a negative connotation to disability. I am holding my breath for the media to see the error of their ways. Celena M
Many people are not aware of the person first language. For instance, before having this course I didn't even had an idea that there was a specific way that I should speak when addressing a person with a disability. Therefore, like Cameron L. says, we can't blame the media for not using the first person language.
Karen L.
I personaly could relate to Cameron L.'s response I do feel society has inflicted terms in our heads in which we have grown to hear. However, now I do feel it is important for all people to learn how to use person first language, and agree with Cameron in that learning person first language is not hard it just takes some time getting use to.
Caleb B.
I agree with many of the comments above. Before i took any rehab class i didnt know abot person first language but know that i have taken the course it has thought that it does hurt pwd when you dont use person first language. Like others said us as student of the rehab program we need to let our commuinty know about Person first language.
Alex S.
The tounge is a weapon sharper than any sword. Communication can forge many a strong alliances, or just as easily destroy them. If everyone watched their words more carefully, the world be a rather different, more plesant place.
Joshua P.
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