New Special Education Teacher Webinar Series

• Series of 3 webinars– November 13, 2013: People First Language– December 11, 2013: Paraprofessionals

in Inclusive Settings– January 22, 2014: Overview of Inclusive Practices

• CLU credit for each webinar attended

CLU Credit• In order to receive a certificate of participation

for today’s webinar (1 CLU credit contingent upon the approval of your employing school system) you will need to type the following information into the chat pod at this time:– First and last name (if you did not specify this

when you logged into the webinar)– Parish you are representing– Your complete email address

• Your certificate will be emailed to you by Friday afternoon; if you do not receive it, please email Wendy Allen wallen@lsu.edu

Understanding the Use of People First Language

New Special Education Teacher Webinar Series Part 1Presented by Pamdora Williams, LaSPDG

www.laspdg.org

@laspdg

Considerations

• This webinar is being recorded and will be available for viewing at www.laspdg.org under

Inclusive Practices Webinars 2013-2014• If you need to ask a question, please use the Chat Pod on your

screen (NOTE: everyone can see your question)• You can download all of today’s materials in the FILES 2 Pod on your

screen at any time during the presentation– Click on the selected file– Choose “SAVE TO MY COMPUTER”– Select the destination where you would like to save the file

Sticks & StonesThink back to a time when someone hurt you with verbal sticks and stones. Think about a word/phrase to describe how that impacted you.

Sticks & StonesSticks and stones may break the bones, but words CAN and DO HURT!

Goal: To develop awareness and sensitivity to words that refer to individuals and their disabilities.

Objectives: •To understand the importance of words chosen when referring to individuals with disabilities•To become aware of statements that represent People First Language•To apply People First Language to non-examples

Indicate your knowledge of People First Language

(PFL)

I have never heard of People First LanguageI have some knowledge of People First LanguageI have a good understanding of People First Language

Language Influences Our Perceptions

“Language is not only a means of communication, but it shapes the way people perceive and experience the world.” Sherrill, 1993

People First Language

Kathie Snow. (n.d.) A few words about People First Language. Disability is Natural. Retrieved August 1, 2012 from http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PDF/pfl-sh09.pdf

Kathie Snow. (n.d.) A few words about People First Language. Disability is Natural. Retrieved August 1, 2012 from http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PDF/pfl-sh09.pdf

When reframing our language, the meaning behind the phrase remains the same, but the word choice is different.

People First Language:– Acknowledges person before the disability– Describes what diagnosis a person “has” but not as who that person “is”– Avoids descriptors that perpetuate negative stereotypes

“People First Language reflects good manners, not ‘political correctness’ and it was started by individuals who said ‘We are not our disabilities’.”

Let’s take a poll….

Which statement uses People First Language correctly?

• She is a Sped student.• She receives special education services.

Which statement uses People First Language correctly?

• She is a sped/inclusion student.• She receives special education services.

Video of People First Language

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ0pKPxoyHs

This is part of a social marketing campaign to raise awareness of

the importance of utilizing people-first language when referring to people who have developmental

or intellectual disabilities

Poll: “Say This, Not That”• Read the statement • Determine whether-or-not the statement is an

example of People First Language.

“I am the inclusion teacher and will have the sped kids in my class this year.”

“I am the inclusion teacher and will have the students with disabilities in my class this year.”

“Maria is a first grade student in my class; she is autistic.”

“Maria is a first grade student in my class; she has a diagnosis of autism.”

“Bryant receives special education services and will be a part of the basketball team this year.”

“Clay is confined to a wheelchair this year.”

“Clay will utilize a wheelchair this year.”

“The school has made additional spaces for handicapped parking.”

“The school has made additional spaces for accessible parking.”

“Derick is in my 4th hour class and he has a developmental delay.”

“Miguel is emotionally disturbed.”

“Miguel has a mental health condition.”

“LaToya is a LAA1 student.”

“LaToya is a student who takes the LAA1 test.”

Article by Kathie Snow

Jill Egle is an author, international speaker, and self-advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

https://vimeo.com/43469334

Will You Take the Pledge?

Let’s take a poll….

Let’s Chat!

Using the Chat Pod…Share ways you can spread People First

Language with educators, families, and other stakeholders?

What Can I Do as a Teacher?

• Teach your students PFL - pledge• Share with staff (watch webinar at www.laspdg.org under (Inclusive Practices -- Webinars --- 2013-2014)

• Use with your co-workers • Use at meetings• Invite guest speakers to your class• Help ensure your school’s written documents support PFL• Have students bring in non-examples used in media (web,

newspaper, magazine) & discuss how to change to PFL• Practice!

For additional information, articles & resources….

• Visit website www.disabilityisnatural.com/

Resources• People First Language Webinar http://laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=313• Disability Is Natural

http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/explore/language-communication • Family to Family Network

http://www.familytofamilynetwork.org/parent-resources/people-first-language

• Brochure http://www.dads.state.tx.us/news_info/publications/brochures/respectfullanguage.pdf

• I’m Tyler http://www.imtyler.org/ • You tube Jill Egle https://vimeo.com/43469334 • US Department of Labor

http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/comucate.htm

Questions?

After this webinar, you may email any questions to Pamdora Williams pwilli@lsu.edu

CLU Credit• IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO DURING THIS

WEBINAR…..• In order to receive a certificate of participation for today’s

webinar (1 CLU credit contingent upon the approval of your employing school system) you will need to type the following information into the chat pod at this time:– First and last name (if you did not specify this when

you logged into the webinar)– Parish you are representing– Your complete email address

• Your certificate will be emailed to you by Friday afternoon; if you do not receive it, please email Wendy Allen wallen@lsu.edu

The contents of this PowerPoint presentation were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H323A110003. However those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

www.laspdg.org

@laspdg

We Want Your Feedback!

• At this time we will launch the brief survey to complete regarding this webinar

• If the survey does not appear on your screen or if you have pop up blockers enabled, you can go directly to it at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/newspedpfl11-13-13

• After you have completed the survey, you may exit the webinar