Which statement BEST defines people-first language?

• A. Using proper names when speaking to others as a way of personalizing communication
• B. Naming the person before a diagnosis, disability, or condition so as not to define him or her by this trait
• C. Ensuring that all public documents are appropriately translated into the first languages of citizens
• D. Referring to the verbal and nonverbal communication of American Indians/Native Americans/Indigenous nations

Answer: (B)

People-first language puts the person before any diagnosis or label, focusing on the individual rather than defining them by a condition. The statement that names the person before a diagnosis, disability, or condition so as not to define him or her by this trait best captures that approach. This helps reduce stigma and respects the person’s humanity, reinforcing that disability is one aspect of who they are, not the whole identity. In social work and many helping professions, using this framing—saying “a person with a disability” instead of “a disabled person”—supports empowerment, autonomy, and respectful, person-centered communication.

Other options describe important concepts (politeness with names, language access, or cultural acknowledgment) but they do not address how to frame a person in relation to a condition, which is the heart of people-first language.