Modeling Person First Language
Copyright Debra K. Shumard 2009
Course Description
Modeling Person First Language is a continuing education course for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) as well as professionals in the ancillary services who work with adults with disabilities. Person-first language is commonly presented as addressing, describing or writing about someone who possesses a disability or challenge by reversing what might be our traditional order of words and, instead, referencing the person first and not the diagnosis.
Course Rationale
Professionals such as a Licensed Social Worker, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, QMRP (Qualified Mental Retardation Specialist), Speech Language Pathologist, Special Education Teacher and Intervention Specialist, as well as Physicians and Nurses, are expected to practice person-first language with the individuals they treat or serve. We are also obligated as professionals to model the proper format for other professionals. Practicing and modeling person-first language is considered tedious by some, in fact, not all disability groups approve of its use. On the other hand, person-first language has been shown to be crucial to those with disabilities who are leading the movement to change how we describe them in speech, in writing and in legislation.
Course Goals and Objectives (Learning Outcomes)
Upon completion of this course, the CTRS will be able:
1) To explain the importance of person-first language to professionals working with individuals with disabilities.
2) To describe the evolution of language referring to people with disabilities.
3) To identify groups who disagree with the use of person-first language.
4) To cite a specific example: People with disabilities who are leading the national movement to change the language describing them by removing the words “mental retardation” from diagnoses, federal agency literature and even the titles of agencies serving them.
Course Instructor
Debra K Shumard, CTRS
Managing Director, Beyond our Boundaries 2001- present
Self Advocacy Trainer 2001-present
Target Audience
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist (CTRS)
Course Educational Level
This course is suitable for practitioners, administrators, or educators at any level.
Course Prerequisites
None
Criteria for issuance of Continuing Education Credits (CERTIFICATE)
The standard completion time for home-based self-study courses for .1CEU is approximately fifty minutes. Please confirm fifty minutes of study in the evaluation. A documented score of 70% or greater on the written post-test warrants the completion certificate.
Continuing Education Credits
One (1) hour of continuing education credit
(1 contact hour)
.1CEU
Please note:
The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) does not pre-approve continuing education.
However, this course addresses the following NCTRC Professional Knowledge Areas:
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Foundational Knowledge areas:
· 13 Normalization/inclusion
· 15 Societal attitudes (e.g. stereotypes)
· 16 Legislation (e.g.. Americans with Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Older Americans Act)
Advancement of the profession:
· 64 Professionalism: professional behavior and professional development |
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· 66 Advocacy for persons served
· 70 Methods, resources and references for maintaining and upgrading professional competencies |
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Key words: person first language, mental retardation, developmental disabilities, CTRS, certified therapeutic recreation specialist, cognitive disability, physical disability.
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