What is the purpose of using 'People First Language'?

• A. To ensure inclusion, freedom, and respect by emphasizing that the person comes before their disability.
• B. To describe disability first to emphasize impairment.
• C. To replace respectful language with medical terminology.
• D. To standardize documentation across agencies.

Answer: (A)

People First Language focuses on recognizing the person before the disability. Using phrasing like “a person with a disability” places the individual first, which promotes dignity, inclusion, and respect in everyday care and conversation. This approach supports autonomy and helps reduce stigma by avoiding defining someone solely by their impairment.

The other options don’t fit because they either place the disability first, describe or label people by their impairment, rely on medical terminology, or focus on administrative standardization rather than respectful, person-centered communication.