City Adopts Person First Language Referencing People With Disabilities

NEW HAVEN, CT — A new city ordinance was signed into law last month, replacing "outdated" language with more "modern and respectful 'Person First Language' when referring to people with disabilities."

Language used to refer to people with disabilities has changed over the decades and the updated Person First Language emphasizes the person first rather than the disability by using phrases such as, “a person who …”, “a person with …” or, “person who has …”.

For example, in the ordinance amendments, the term “person with a disability” is substituted for the term “handicapped person” and the term “intellectual disability” is substituted for the outdated term “mental retardation.”

All the specific language changes in the City’s ordinances can be found here.

New Haven Ordinance - Langu... by Ellyn Santiago

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said in a news release announcing the change that the city is "committed to being a welcoming and inclusive place for all our residents, and the language used in our laws and by our government must reflect that."

"Updating and modernizing the terminology used in our ordinances to be more respectful and honoring of people with disabilities was the right thing to do and, frankly, long overdue, and I’m glad this bill is now law,” he said.

Elicker thanked Gretchen Knauff, Director of the City’s Department of Services for Persons with Disabilities, and the Commission on Disabilities for "championing this legislation and for their continued advocacy on behalf our residents with disabilities." And he praised the Board of Alders for its "unanimous vote of support.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 4 U.S adults report having some form of a disability. The CDC also provides general tips and examples on person first language on its website.

The ordinance was submitted by Knauff to the Board of Alders on July 5, passed out of the Legislation Committee on August 2, passed by the full Board of Alders on September 19, delivered to the mayor on October 26, and signed into law by Elicker Nov. 3.

“Language is important in the way that see each other and the world around us. Updating the terminology in the ordinances communicates a respect for people with disabilities as important members of the City with valued contributions to all aspects of our culture and community,” Knauff said.

Residents with disabilities can learn more about available resources, report an accessibility issue, and more by going to newhavenct.gov/disability or by contacting the New Haven Department of Disability Services at 203-946-7651 or TTY/TDD at 203-946-8582