Re: Issue 136 - Use Person First Language

After engaging in a public opinion poll, and even larger online conversation with persons that are Autistic, it has become overwhelmingly clear that this disability population prefers identity first language.

David Fazio, President | [signature_1633184954] <https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpfazio/>
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P. +1 510.590.7363| e. dfazio@helixopp.com<mailto:dfazio@helixopp.com>| W. www.helixopp.com<http://www.helixopp.com>

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From: Pascalides, Justine E <JPascalides@ETS.ORG>
Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 12:38 PM
To: David Fazio <dfazio@helixopp.com>
Cc: Rachael Montgomery <rachael@accessiblecommunity.org>
Subject: FW: Issue 136 - Use Person First Language
Hi David,

I hope that this email finds you well! Although I missed the COGA meeting last week, I understand that you were going to consult with some of your professional contacts on the issue of person-first language regarding the below issue. Jennie mentioned that you requested feedback via LinkedIn. Were you also able to reach out to the other groups that you mentioned during last week’s COGA call? Thanks very much for your help with this.

Justine

From: Pascalides, Justine E
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 11:39 AM
To: public-cognitive-a11y-tf <public-cognitive-a11y-tf@w3.org>
Subject: Issue 136 - Use Person First Language

Hello,

In issue 139<https://github.com/w3c/coga/issues/139>, we received a comment about the issue of person first language when referring to autistic people (e.g., person with autism). The use of person first language in this scenario is a source of contention and it seems that identity first language (e.g., autistic person) is preferred. This is relevant to the text from 5 patterns in Content Usable, as follows. Note that I’ve included the original pattern and revised language to make the review easy.

Please take a look and reply if you agree with the proposed language change, disagree, or would prefer something else.

Pattern: Visual cues
Summary of the proposed change – changed “user on the autism spectrum” to “autistic user”


  *   Original: A user on the autism spectrum can identify graphical indicators and the use of color for grouping content but struggles with the labels and heading text.
  *   Revised: An autistic user can identify graphical indicators and the use of color for grouping content but struggles with the labels and heading text.

Pattern: Use literal language
Summary of the proposed change – changed “a programmer with autism spectrum disorder” to “an autistic programmer”


  *   Original: Many people do not understand non-literal content. For example, a programmer with autism spectrum disorder may not understand jokes and similes.
  *   Revised: Many people do not understand non-literal content. For example, an autistic programmer may not understand jokes and similes.

Pattern: Explain implied content
Summary of the proposed change – changed “people with autism” to “autistic people”


  *   Original: Similarly, a research study asked people with autism to watch a movie that had a lot of implied communication.
  *   Revised: Similarly, a research study asked autistic people to watch a movie that had a lot of implied communication.

Pattern: Use clear step-by-step instructions
Summary of the proposed change – changed “people on autism spectrum” to “autistic people”


  *   Original: This helps many people with cognitive and learning disabilities as well as people from different cultures, emerging markets, new users, and people on autism spectrum who may miss cultural context.
  *   Revised: This helps many people with cognitive and learning disabilities as well as people from different cultures, emerging markets, new users, and autistic people who may miss cultural context:

Pattern: Provide flexible form inputs
Summary of the proposed change – changed “people on the autism spectrum” to “autistic people”


  *   Original: This helps anybody with memory issues, people new to culture, and people on the autism spectrum who may miss cultural context.
  *   Revised: This helps anybody with memory issues, people new to culture, and autistic people who may miss cultural context.


Justine Pascalides
Technology, Accessibility, and Innovation
ETS | Assessment and Learning Technology Development
Ph: 609-683-2213 | Email: jpascalides@ets.org<mailto:jpascalides@ets.org>


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