Message from Superintendent: Resolution on “Urging the Use of People-First Language for Students with Disabilities”

This measure recognizes the necessity of a more respectful and humanistic view of people and students with disabilities, and it affirms that state policies and procedures should use People First Language to the greatest extent possible. 

People with disabilities constitute our nation’s largest minority group, which is simultaneously the most inclusive and the most diverse. Everyone is represented: of all genders, all ages, all religions, all socioeconomic levels and all ethnic backgrounds. The disability community is the only minority group that anyone can join at any time.

Disability is not the “problem.” For example, a person who wears glasses doesn’t say, “I have a problem seeing,” they say, “I wear/need glasses.” Similarly, a person who uses a wheelchair doesn’t say, “I have a problem walking,” they say, “I use/need a wheelchair.” This is an example of using “People-first” language.

The Board voted unanimously to approve this resolution, and staff will work to help familiarize educators and the public about our need going forward to shift our collective mindset from one of viewing children by labels to one of viewing children as people first.

Resolution Handout:
“Urging the Use of People-First Language for Students with Disabilities”

Introduction from Sean McPhetridge to Superintendent’s Goals, Priorities and Values:

At the ASPEDPSG meeting, I also spoke about my goals, priorities, and values as superintendent. Attached is a brief synopsis of that presentation that hopefully represents key ideas that guide and shape our work ahead in AUSD.