Using person-first language shows that we focus on people (not categories)

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Because we value individuals instead of emphasizing the disability, we want our words to reflect that as well. It is considerate to consider carefully how you talk about individuals with special needs, always referring to the person first instead of his/her disability. (And it's also wise to consider whether or not the disability even needs to be mentioned; oftentimes, it would be better to describe the person by name or by other characteristics.) Below is a table of respectful, person-first language and disrespectful or unkind language.

Respectful, person-first language
Disrespectful, unkind, and/or disability-first language
Individuals with special needs
Special needs people
James, who happens to have Down syndrome
A Down’s guy
Jessica, a girl with autism
The autistic kid
Intellectual disability
Retard or retarded (even the term “mental retardation” is no longer being used in most disability-related fields)
Physical impairment
Crippled, deformed, physically inconvenienced
Has ______________
Suffers from __________________
Person, child
Patient, case
Additionally, some terms meant to empower people with disabilities can also be insulting and condescending because they dismiss the difficult aspects that may accompany the disability; some examples are “handicapable” or “definitely-abled.”

We use the table above to train our volunteers, but it's not just about their own language choices. We also ask them to use this to train others in their ministry areas. For example, it’s unkind for a high schooler to call something or someone “retarded,” but I've seen many church leaders not even bat an eyelash when one of their students throws that word around. We ask our student ministry leaders to address that language if they hear it from students, in the same way that they would not tolerate derogatory slurs related to another minority group. 

And, finally, if you’re having trouble figuring out how to refer to a person, take the advice of disability ministry pioneer, Dr. Jim Pierson[1]: just use his or her name.

[1] Jim Pierson, No Disabled Souls, Standard Publishing: 1998.

Ministering WITH, not just ministering TO

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Most conversations I have with other churches begin with the question, "How can we minister to people with special needs?" While that's a good question, it's only a start.

The aim should be ministry with or alongside those with special needs. Our goal is not to simply minister to them. Throughout the Bible, it is made clear that God has uniquely gifted each of us according to his purpose (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:1-16). 1 Peter 4:10 states, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms,” and this verse does not exclude those with disabilities, nor do the ones listed in the previous sentence.

Consider John 9:3. Note that the blind man was healed and then shared about Christ to others in response to the Pharisees' questioning. Jesus ministered to him, and he ministered to others by testifying about what Christ did in his life.

We do not aim to simply minister to children, youth, and adults with special needs; we want to encourage them in their areas of giftedness and provide opportunities for them to serve as well, because they are vital members of the body of Christ. Their stories and testimonies matter as much as anyone else's.

On a practical note, here are few examples of what we do: If a class is involved in a missions or service project, the kids and students with special needs in that class are involved too. On most Sunday mornings, at least one of the greeters welcoming people and handing out bulletins is a member of our Joy Class (our class of adults with special needs). One member of the Joy Class recently read the Bible story to one of our first grade Sunday school classes, and I then accompanied her back to her class.

I know this is an area in which we have room to grow, though, so I would love to know what your church is doing or is planning to do to engage in ministry with people with special needs. Or, if your church isn't encouraging individuals with disabilities to share their gifts with the rest of the church, what do you wish they were doing?

Weekly round-up {7/4/11}

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First, happy Independence Day (for my readers in the USA, that is)! I hope you enjoy your celebrations.

This sermon from John Piper, one of my favorite preachers and writers, isn't about disabilities. It's about interracial marriage. But think these words of his in light of either, and you'll understand why I'm including it in this week's round-up:
Christians are people who move toward need and truth and justice, not toward comfort and security. Life is hard. But God is good. And Christ is strong to help.

In a church or in a neighborhood, it hurts to be faced with harsh words (or even just thoughtless ones) and lack of understanding about what life with special needs is like.

At churches around the country, I've seen new pieces this week about churches hosting or serving at a basketball league for kids with autism and a biking camp for kids with Down syndrome or autism. Doesn't it warm your heart to see options for such a typical summer activity - camp! - made available through churches to kids with special needs?!? And, on those lines, here's an article about a new special needs playground in Huntsville, Alabama, which is the hometown of one of my best friends; I'll be checking it out the next time I'm there!

And this piece by my friend Jared at Sojourn Kids highlights my church's curriculum, Treasuring Christ, and how it can be used for kids with special needs: Advantages of a unified curriculum for children with special needs

I liked seeing that this special needs resource company understands that churches might need resources too. I have no doubts that they could be using this as a way to sell more products, but it's a promising sign of church engagement with the special needs community if companies are viewing us as a potential market.

I generally find good stuff at The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism. This article is no exception to that: Unfriendly Consequences: What Competition for Limited Resources Does to the Autism Community and Autism Families

And grab your tissues before you mosey over to this post by Jessica at four plus an angel. It's called No Words, and it's about the child with autism who was ministered to finding ways to minister to another. And it's precious.

And, finally, if you haven't seen this featured issue of the Today webzine, with a focus on special needs ministry, by the Evangelical Free Church in America, check it out. It's so good, and it includes pieces from Connie Hutchinson, who is the Director of Disabilities Ministry at First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, California and who I heard speak at the Accessibility Summit this past spring, and her daughter, who eloquently expresses her desire - as a woman with Down syndrome - to be included in ministry.

Fridays from the Families: A couple more interviews between John Piper and John Knight

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A month ago, I posted about John Knight and included a couple videos of his family. Since that post, two more interviews have been made available between John Knight and his pastor, John Piper.

Two thoughts before I put them up:
  1. I don't typically like videos. For years before I started this blog, I had (and still have) a family blog, and many of my other mommy blogger friends like to post videos of their kids. Confession: I almost never watch them. And when friends post youTube videos on Facebook or other places, I skip over those posts. I might watch music-related ones, but otherwise it's usually a no. So, as someone who doesn't care for online videos, it's a big deal for me to recommend three (the one earlier and now two more) that are each about 20 minutes long.
  2. If you've read this blog for a while now, you know that I admire John Piper and John Knight. I'd like to clarify, though, that while these men are heroes of mine, they are not the Hero. The respect I have for them comes from their willingness to point to God in all circumstances, not to themselves or their experiences. God is faithful, and I am thankful for men (and women and children) who regularly point me to Him.
And, now, here are videos two and three of the interviews:





And, if you'd like to read more from John Knight, please head to his blog. It is always helpful and encouraging to me.