#peoplefirstlanguage

Prior to attending my deafblindness course, i will be honest to say that i knew very little about the “community” if you will. This course has taught me many things and changed my assumptions on the individuals who happen to be blind, deaf or are a combination of both. Most of all, this course has shown me that I take some of my privileges in life for granted. I hope this post brings awareness and some perspective! 

 Above, i used the word “community” in italics and quotes, because people who are deafblind or who even have disabilities in general may be categorized, but just like anyone else they are people first and should be treated and viewed as a person and not their disability.

Intervenors are those who aid an individual. I’ve learned not to talk to the intervenor, but to the individual FIRST because, they are people first.

People First Language is a great website because as the name says, it’s dedicated to trash all the assumptions and raise awareness and to educate people to put the person FIRST! 

“if it’s not right for people without disabilities, then it’s not right for people with disabilities” - Kathie Snow

An assignment we had to do is a perfect way to show how someone who is deafblind. Take half an hour of your day and do all the things you would normally such as clean your room, go for a walk, etc but take into account your own safety. You then cover your eyes and plug your ears. That’s the kicker. We get to experience for a bit how it is like to be deafblind. I decided to clean my room, thinking it was easy because i thought i knew my own room like the back of my hand. i was SO wrong! once blindfolded, i didn't know where anything was. i had to feel my way around my room and then visually map out my room. That experience was one of the toughest i’ve been in and couldn’t even do it for the half hour. So i had a new high respect for those who are deaf, blind or deafblind or who are not able to use some body parts, and i seem to take my ability to use all my functions for granted.

I just want this post to cause some awareness of ones who are deafblind and hopefully change some people’s perspectives. I hope this post will be just the first stop of new education for people all around and to be more aware.

There are many sites out there that give everyone information and are able to educate them on what it is like and give more insight.