How should you address people with disabilities?

Prepare for the APTA Physical Therapy Test. Utilize multiple choice questions with hints and answers. Achieve excellence in your exam!

The main idea is communicating with respect by using person-first language and addressing the person directly. This means recognizing the individual before their disability and referring to them as a person with a disability, or otherwise honoring their preferred terminology, rather than labeling them by the disability or using demeaning terms. In physical therapy and healthcare, this approach builds dignity, autonomy, and rapport, which supports better engagement and outcomes. Labels that define someone by their condition or speaking only in medical jargon can create distance, reinforce stigma, and hinder understanding. Ignoring someone’s preferred language also disrespects their identity and can damage the therapeutic relationship.