Shop by Topic
Shop by Product
ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues
<< Previous Issue
| View Past Issues | | Next Issue >> 
Disability Blunder Apology
September 13, 2011
Adversity is an opportunity for creativity, because it forces one to dig deeper and discover something new about oneself.
-Paul T.P. Wong
-Paul T.P. Wong
"For too long, people who happen to have conditions we call 'disabilities' have been subjected to devaluation, marginalization, prejudice, and more. And the first way to devalue someone is through language, by using words or labels to identify a person/group as 'less-than,' as 'the others — not like us,' and so forth. Once a person/group has been identified this way, it makes it easier to justify prejudice and discrimination. Our language shapes our attitudes; our attitudes shape our language; they're intertwined. And our attitudes and language drive our actions!
"Using People First Language — putting the person before the disability — and eliminating old, prejudicial, and hurtful descriptors, can move us in a new direction. People First Language is not political correctness; instead, it demonstrates good manners, respect, the Golden Rule, and more — it can change the way we see a person."
Readers may also be interested in viewing the YouTube video "People First Language"
Beginnings Workshop: Special Needs - Meeting the Needs of the Children
Beginnings Workshop is an invaluable resource for staff training. In each 16 page unit the top experts in the field address a specific curriculum topic in depth. 
- Opening Doors to Activities That Include ALL Children
by Whit Hayslip and Lisbeth Vincent - Creating an Environment That Supports the Developing Social Skills of All Children
by Sarah A. Mulligan Gordon, Kathleen Miller Green, and Sandra L. Morris - Answering Children's Questions about Peers with Special Needs
by Victoria Youcha and Karren Ikeda Wood - Using Technology to Help Children with Diverse Needs Participate and Learn
by Dirsti Haugen
ExchangeEveryDay
Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
What is ExchangeEveryDay?
ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
#1. Evaluating Early Learner Technology
Dr. Dale McManis
#2. Can You Trust Research Claims?
Dr. Kyle Snow
#3. The 21st Century Classroom
Susan Gunnewig
Only $6.00 per order and 50% profit on every sale. Your bank account will start Greening up!
Large 15 Gal Commercial Container. Hands-Free “Step & Drop” Disposal. Clean Hygienic Enclosed System. Preferred by University Child Care.
Comments (7)
Displaying All 7 Commentsrise and shine preschool
newhall, CA, United States
As a mom to a severely disabled 15 year old daughter (she has cerebral palsy), I was NOT offended in the slightest with your headline "Advise to Families with Disabled Children". People need to stop being so hyper-sensitive.
Thank you for your outstanding articles, advise, assistance, and references and referrals to everyone in the field of Early Childhood Education. I have been a subscriber for YEARS and have always found your magazine articles and daily emails to be quite useful and very helpful. THANK YOU!!!
Michelle Du Prey
Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc.
Commack, NY, United States
Excellent information about Using People First Language. Thank you so much!
United States
I have to agree that I did not see an "apology" in the article either.
Schnecksville, PA, United States
Thanks for your quick response and updated information on People First Language. I know there is a lot of good info that still applies from years ago. When we go back to it sometimes we can see how far we have come or the changes that we have been able to make in the field.
United States
The headline used the word "apology," yet I did not see one in the body of the email. Did I miss it, or was there not really an apology there?
Also, as the parent of a child with Down syndrome, I found Thursday's message a little ... patronizing, maybe? The information - balance your attention between children, ask for help from your spouse, etc. - seemed very outdated and like advice that most people would already know. I came away from that message without gaining a single thing.
United States
Thank you for correcting this. I appreciate that you not only corrected the error but also gave more information so that others could be educated also in People First Language. Thank you again for helping us all to improve the quality of services we provide not only in our professional lives but also our personal lives.
United States
Thank You for addressing this. Susan
Post a Comment