A Pledge of Respect for Students with Disabilities

Please join the Inclusion Collaborative and the Santa Clara County Office of Education in starting a wave of respectful language for people with disabilities here in our community and beyond. The SCCOE, which strives to be “the central active leader and voice on critical education issues” in this county, believes that this voice should be one of equity, acceptance and respect and therefore has adopted Person-First Terminology. Using Person-First Terminology by placing the person ahead of his/her label or disability shows that each person has value. If you believe in using respectful language, then we invite you to publicly adopt the Pledge of Respect for Students with Disabilities and add your voice to ours. Using Person-First Terminology is the first step towards changing negative perceptions and attitudes about people with disabilities.

We need your help to start a wave of respectful language. You can help us by:

Filling out an online Pledge of Respect for Students with Disabilities for yourself or for your organization.
Asking your agency to sign the Agency Policy Pledge for Person-First Terminology. Please fax to the Inclusion Collaborative at 408-453-6596 or mail to 1290 Ridder Park Dr. MC 227, San Jose California, 95131.
Informing other individuals about Person-First Terminology and asking them to sign the appropriate pledge

Person-First Terminology Awareness