Which statement best describes people-first language?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes people-first language?

People-first language centers on describing the person before the disability, emphasizing that a person is not defined by their condition. The best description is referring first to the person, then to the disability, as in “a person with a disability.” This order promotes dignity, autonomy, and inclusion and should be used in both speech and writing, especially in healthcare communication. Saying the disability comes first would define the person by the condition, which is not the goal, and avoiding disability terminology in speech misses the point of acknowledging the condition while still prioritizing the person.

People-first language centers on describing the person before the disability, emphasizing that a person is not defined by their condition. The best description is referring first to the person, then to the disability, as in “a person with a disability.” This order promotes dignity, autonomy, and inclusion and should be used in both speech and writing, especially in healthcare communication. Saying the disability comes first would define the person by the condition, which is not the goal, and avoiding disability terminology in speech misses the point of acknowledging the condition while still prioritizing the person.

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