Disability Identity and Preferences for Person-First and Identity-First Language

What is it about?

This study looked at how people with disabilities choose to describe themselves and how that relates to how strongly they identify as having a disability. There is ongoing debate between person-first language (“person with a disability”) and identity-first language (“disabled person”), and the researchers wanted to understand what influences these preferences. They surveyed 776 people, mostly from Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, asking about their disability identity, the language they use, and what they believe is most appropriate in different situations. People with a stronger disability identity were more likely to use identity-first language. Those with a weaker disability identity tended to prefer person-first language. A stronger sense of identity was more common among younger people, nonbinary individuals, those living outside the three main countries, and people with specific disabilities such as neurodevelopmental, hearing, digestive, pain, congenital, and visible or both visible and invisible conditions. These findings suggest that how people talk about disability is closely tied to how they see themselves. Recognising these differences can support more respectful and inclusive communication.

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Photo by Elevate on Unsplash

Photo by Elevate on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This is the first study to show a clear link between how strongly people identify as having a disability and the language they prefer to use, whether person-first language, identity-first language, or both. The findings can inform more respectful language guidelines in healthcare, rehabilitation, and broader society, supporting the dignity and autonomy of people with disabilities.

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