The Search for Common Ground: Analyzing Language Commonly Used For Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Authors

Hannah L. Friend, Ohio Northern UniversityFollow

Abstract

Respect and acceptance of individuals within a society can start simply from the language used to refer to them, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). With debates of researchers and professors using either Identity-first language (IFL) or Person-first language (PFL) within their teachings and findings, no consistent standard for usage has emerged and not much has been said on what is generally being used. Using an exploratory survey, this research explores the language used on a college campus when referring to individuals with IDD. Variations of IFL, PFL, and Slang (or outdated language) were analyzed in terms of the communities’ preference and frequency of the terms being heard. Staff and faculty on campus, in addition to current students, were invited to participate in the survey and differences between the two groups were examined. Typically PFL and mixes of PFL and Slang were more highly ranked than IFL, IFL plus Slang, and Slang. When looking at how often terms were heard, students often heard more slang and slang mixes than staff and faculty. Additionally, comparisons in preferences between those who identified as being disabled and those who are not were made. While the campus had ranked and preferred PFL, participants who identified as having a disability showed no preference towards what language was used to refer to them and their disability.

Recommended Citation

Friend, Hannah L. (2025) "The Search for Common Ground: Analyzing Language Commonly Used For Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities," Aurora: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/aurora/vol2/iss1/2