What is the People First Language equivalent for 'He's a quadriplegic'?

What is the People First Language equivalent for 'He's a quadriplegic'?

• A. Bob has a physical disability.
• B. Bob is quadriplegic.
• C. Bob has quadriplegia.
• D. Bob is physically disabled.

Answer: (A)

People First Language puts the person before the disability. Saying “He’s a quadriplegic” labels the person by the condition, which can feel defining rather than respectful. The best equivalent is “Bob has a physical disability.” Using “has” shows the disability is one aspect of who Bob is, not the whole person. “Physical disability” is a broad, respectful description that avoids defining Bob by a medical label. The other phrasings either treat the person as the disability (“is quadriplegic”) or rely on more clinical terms or a stigmatizing feel (“has quadriplegia” is still accurate but can sound overly medical, and “physically disabled” can seem to define him by the condition rather than as a person).

People First Language puts the person before the disability. Saying “He’s a quadriplegic” labels the person by the condition, which can feel defining rather than respectful.

The best equivalent is “Bob has a physical disability.” Using “has” shows the disability is one aspect of who Bob is, not the whole person. “Physical disability” is a broad, respectful description that avoids defining Bob by a medical label.

The other phrasings either treat the person as the disability (“is quadriplegic”) or rely on more clinical terms or a stigmatizing feel (“has quadriplegia” is still accurate but can sound overly medical, and “physically disabled” can seem to define him by the condition rather than as a person).