PURPOSE
To know that you are expected to use, and encourage others to use, People First Language in all written and verbal communication.

1. Describe the rationale behind People First Language.
2. Use People First Language at all times.
3. Speak about people and their strengths rather than their

    weaknesses or deficits.
4. Understand that language influences the perceptions that

    others have about people with disabilities.

INTRODUCTION
The information and readings in this section promote the use of People First Language. This means that individuals with disabilities are simply people first-not described, defined, or labeled by their disability or medical diagnosis. To be a Support Broker you must embrace the philosophy of People First language. As you learned in Section 1, Support Brokerage is an outgrowth of the Self-Determination movement, not the other way around. People with disabilities are the drivers behind these concepts and therefore, as a Support Broker, you must acknowledge and choose to use only language that respectfully identifies and supports your future employers.

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