Transcript SAFA Network Webinar

Rob Wybrecht
SAFA Coordinator
Expert Panel Member
[email protected]
What is Person First Language?
It is always speaking about a person by putting the
person’s name FIRST before stating anything
else.

Or it is stating
A young man with a physical disability
A person who receives special education
services
This is especially important if you are
then going to discuss a special challenge
that this individual may have.
◦ our face
◦ our hair
◦ our hobby
◦ our sport
◦ our disease or
◦ our disability
None of us should ever hear the words
FAS kid or FASD adult. They must be
removed from everyone’s vocabulary.


Is not “the runner”.
Brandon
was on the track team in high school,
loves to play the piano, does not read
music but learns by listening
is majoring in computers
is an Eagle Scout
will finish college in three years
was diagnosed with dyslexia in third grade


I am not the “butterfly keeper” I am Rob who loves
◦ gardening
◦ insects, especially butterflies,
◦ watching How It’s Made,
◦ teaching people about FASD,
◦ telling people about SAFA
◦ sharing my story with lots of people even in the
Netherlands, and Spain.
If you only heard of me as the first FAS baby
diagnosed in the US, you would not know who I
really am.


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Sight
Parking
Wheel chair
No disabilities
Communication
 Person
who is visually impaired
 Person who is blind
Accessible Parking
Person who uses a
Wheel Chair
Person without Disabilities
A child who is unable to speak
A person who uses a communication device
A lady who speaks with her eyes

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People with abilities
Steven has a learning disability
Person with a physical disability
A young adult with an FASD